AGENTIAL MYCELIUM

This project explores mycelial growth as a foundation for developing agential materials—materials capable of sensing, responding to, and adapting to their environment. Unlike conventional materials, agential materials exhibit high levels of agency, with individual cells acting as agents that perceive signals and drive morphological changes. Focusing on the mycelium species Fomes fomentarius and Trametes versicolor, this research examines how environmental factors, particularly light, influence hyphal density and growth patterns. 

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Preliminary findings reveal that controlled light exposure can induce distinct morphological patterns, such as ring formations, demonstrating light's potential as a regulatory stimulus. By leveraging light to influence mycelial growth, this approach aims to establish a novel, light-driven biofabrication technique, enabling the creation of materials with custom properties and functional gradients. 

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This study not only advances the understanding of mycelium's responsive behaviour but also positions it as a versatile material for innovative applications in design, architecture, and biotechnology.