04 Material Research

Bioluminescence¶

Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms through different biochemical reactions. The word bioluminescence comes from bios (life) and lumen (light). Some organisms, such as insects, use it as an effective means to ensure mating, while others use it as a defense mechanism against predators.

Environment and luminescence properties:¶

While there are species that exhibit higher levels of bioluminescence, I chose to focus my initial research on two specific types of bioluminescent fungi. This decision was driven by the ready availability of these organisms in Spain. Consequently, I began experimenting with liquid cultures grown on agar and in a substrate.

The Bacteria, despite their accessibility, have relatively short lifespans. On the other hand, I can prolong the lifespan of dinoflagellates by introducing a liquid medium to their culture.

Mycena Mycena: Biodiversidad de P.R. AGustin Stahl, Flora, Hongos Seria De Historia Natural - USDA

They are found in tropical and humid areas. Both attract insects to spread spores and serve as a defense against predators. Both need organic matter, such as moist wood, to grow. The difference between them is that Panellus emits bioluminescence in its stem and roots, and the light intensity is lower than that of Mycena.

GlowingDE Panellus GlowingDE: Mycena Pure Culture

GlowingDE Panellus GlowingDE: Panellus

Bioluminescent Fungi: Panellus¶

The two fungi I began cultivating as part of this research are Panellus stipticus and Mycena chlorophos, both of which are bioluminescent and require similar environments for growth (tropical and humid areas). Mycena emits a constant and more intense light than Panellus and currently grows in the forests of Puerto Rico.

Fungi Growing Process¶

Step 1: Wash your hands with soap and then spray ethanol.
Step 2: Sterilize the work area with ethanol alcohol. Carefully light a Bunsen burner and place the substrate and culture in a sterile zone near the flame.
Step 3: Open bottle and put the lid on the table.
Step 4: Open the tube, throw the pure culture into the bottle and close the bottle immediately.

Do not touch the pure culture

Step 5: Move the culture to the middle of the substrate by slightly shaking of the bottle.
Step 6: Keep the bottle in your living room or bedroom. Far from the window (avoid direct sunshine). Do not keep it in totally dark (light is necessary for fruiting).

The best temperature for fruiting is between 20℃ - 30 ℃

After five days, the mycelium began to spread through the substrate, marking one of my first mushroom cultivation experiments. This week, I'll be cultivating a new batch of fungi using the agar plate. Then, I will compare the growth time and fruiting of pure cultures grown on the substrate with those grown on an agar medium. The liquid format offers flexibility for sample distribution.

I've chosen to focus on fungi native to tropical and humid environments for this initial research because the bacteria and the medium to expand the lifespan take much time to deliver to Spain.

Mycena and CO2 absorbing skin¶

I will begin culturing Mycena on agar on the 29th or 30th of January, as that's when I'm expecting to receive the pure culture. My goal is to cultivate both fungi and determine which is the best option for low-intensity lighting, how fast they grow, and test their bioluminescence capability outdoors. I will use a monitoring sensor for this. This week, I'm researching other fungi that can capture CO2 and serve as a 3D printing material for the outer skin. To test this, I will conduct a 3D printing test and add wood chips to the mixture.

Simultaneously, I will be 3D printing the skin using Purifier filament, which also helps purify the environment by absorbing CO2, NOx, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and converting them into harmless mineral residues through gas mineralization. The idea is to create small-scale prototypes that allow me to place the culture inside, document the changes in the living material, and collect data from the monitoring sensor.

Purifier

Design Considerations¶

To keep our culture alive, it is important to think about a design that allows the entry of indirect light, oxygen, and humidity control. This leads me to think about materials such as glass, ceramic, and a structure that allows CO2 capture to maintain bioluminescence.