Rachel Ou, COL ’26, Bridgewater, NJ
This summer, supported by Career Services, I had the privilege of working in the DumoLab, an interdisciplinary laboratory at the intersection of regenerative architecture, biology, materials science, and design.
One of the key projects, MycoPrint, explores bio-based construction to tackle challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and increasing carbon emissions. This research focuses on myco-materials, a bio-based substance with potential applications in air and water purification, as well as acoustic and thermal insulation. Our specific objective was to digitally design geometric structures and patterns as toolpaths for printing mycelium cultures onto textile substrates.
Throughout the summer, I collaborated with a team of three to optimize a cellulose paste recipe, minimize contamination, reintegrate mycelium paste with fabric, and prototype pattern designs. Our experiments included testing different types of mycelium (liquid vs. spawn), incorporating pre-grown mycelium into the paste, optimizing pH, comparing additives (psyllium husk vs. wheat bran), and refining sterilization methods. We utilized microscopy techniques to visualize mold growth and the integration of mycelium with various fabrics. Additionally, I gained experience using a CNC machine for paste printing and worked with software like Rhino and Grasshopper to visualize our toolpath. While the project is ongoing, I believe MycoPrint has made significant strides in optimizing paste, protocols, and prototypes. Future studies will focus on developing a large-scale lattice structure for acoustic insulation.
In addition to MycoPrint, I contributed to Simbiobrick, a project that investigates plant-fungi relationships for urban bioremediation systems. Specifically, Simbiobrick is a living system that encases arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and alfalfa in a portable clay cassette, promoting plant growth and carbon sequestration. My role involved cultivating alfalfa plants in SAP-based nutrient soil and inoculating them with mycorrhizae. Based on a literature review of the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in SAP polymers on the growth of the mycorrhizae-alfalfa symbiosis, I conducted experiments adjusting SAP and nutrient densities to identify optimal growing conditions for the symbiosis. The next steps include conducting staining tests to quantify AMF colonization density using the trypan blue root staining technique. The ultimate goal is to create a multifunctional facade that provides structural support, oxygen production both indoors and outdoors, continuous carbon sequestration, self-irrigation, and soil bioremediation.
As the summer comes to a close and I reflect on my experience in the DumoLab, I am grateful for my hardworking teammates and mentors in the DumoLab, as well as Dr. Mogas-Soldevilla, whose work never fails to inspire me. This summer was a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the field of biodesign, an incredibly interdisciplinary field that I discovered during the second semester of my sophomore year. Through this experience, I learned about the possibilities of sustainable and regenerative materials such as mycelium, and how bio-based designs can be used for both functional and aesthetic purposes. It opened my eyes to how traditional and strict disciplines such as science can be combined with more creative forms of academia such as art and design, to create something meaningful. The DumoLab served as a unique lab experience, transcending expectations of traditional science labs, and instead, serving as a playhouse for imagination and creativity for interdisciplinary thinkers hoping to create a more sustainable future.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2024 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
