Scaling the Use of Biomass and Engineered Living Materials to Mitigate Climate Change and Build Just Sustainable Communities in California
Matthew Potts, Professor
Environmental Science, Policy and Management
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
MycoMaterial Innovation: Repurposing Invasive Eucalyptus into Sustainable Building Materials
Project Overview
California faces two interconnected challenges: the spread of invasive eucalyptus forests, which increase wildfire risks and displace native ecosystems, and the urgent need for sustainable, low-carbon construction materials in the face of a housing and climate crisis.
This project investigates how mycelium-based biocomposites can address both issues by transforming eucalyptus mulch into sustainable building materials. Using the Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), apprentices will compare eucalyptus pulp against a control substrate (straw pulp) to evaluate growth, strength, water resistance, and environmental performance.
By turning eucalyptus, an ecological burden, into fungal “bricks,” the project explores its potential as a durable, water-repellent, carbon-sequestering material for architectural use. The long-term vision is to scale Engineered Living Materials (ELM) that reduce wildfire risks, contribute to carbon storage, and support climate-resilient, equitable housing solutions across California through circular, bio-based design.
Fall 2025 Production Methods
To explore these possibilities, apprentices will gain hands-on experience in the full production cycle of mycelium materials:
-Substrate Preparation: Chipping eucalyptus branches, grinding them into fine pulp, and preparing control substrates (i.e., straw pulp).
-Sterilization & Inoculation: Using the autoclave and sterile techniques (still-air box, rubbing alcohol, PPE) to prepare substrates and inoculate molds with grain spawn.
-Growth & Monitoring: Incubating 20 × 20 × 40 cm molds in a controlled grow tent environment. Apprentices will monitor humidity, light, and moisture using meters and spray bottles to ensure healthy fungal growth.
-Drying & Processing: Oven-drying molds to halt fungal activity and transform living composites into solid biobricks.
-Testing & Evaluation: Conducting structural tests (compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption) and recording results to assess durability and sustainability potential.
Role: Apprentice Contributions
Undergraduates will be central to this interdisciplinary research, contributing through:
-Data Collection & Analysis: Recording biomass sourcing, carbon storage, fungal growth rates, and socio-environmental outcomes.
-Experimental Design Support: Assisting with literature reviews, refining protocols, and contributing to evaluations of ELM scalability and performance.
-Lab Work: Participating in sterilization, inoculation, growth monitoring, drying, and structural testing of mycelium bricks.
Students will be involved at every stage—from substrate preparation to final testing—while also contributing to lab notes, data analysis, and documentation that inform future experiments and potential publications.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, apprentices will gain:
-Biomaterials Research Skills: Hands-on training with fungal biocomposites and sustainable material production.
-Analytical Skills: Experience with structural testing, data management, and environmental performance evaluation.
-Interdisciplinary Perspective: Engagement with concepts from environmental science, materials engineering, architecture, and climate equity.
-Sustainability in Action: Understanding of how circular design and ecological restoration principles can address climate challenges.
Qualifications: Logistics
Day-to-Day Supervisor: Deibi Sibrian, Ph.D. Candidate
Qualifications: We seek motivated, detail-oriented students interested in environmental science, materials engineering, architecture, or related fields. No prior lab experience is required, though familiarity with basic lab safety, data management, or relevant tools is a plus. A genuine interest in sustainability, climate equity, and hands-on experimentation is essential.
Weekly Hours: Negotiable
Lab Website: https://nature.berkeley.edu/pottslab/
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Deibi Sibrian, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: https://nature.berkeley.edu/pottslab/
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