UW researchers developed a new system for turning used coffee grounds into a paste, which they use to 3D print objects, such as packing materials and a vase. They inoculate the paste with Reishi mushroom spores, which turn the coffee grounds into a resilient, fully compostable alternative to plastics.

The study has some great pictures that clarify the process.

  • mycelium@slrpnk.net
    2·
    8 days ago

    incorporating coffee grounds into the substrate for mushroom growth has been a common practice in the mushroom cultivation community for small-scale production

    I can finally call it “research!”

    new materials often demand new hardware systems. […] we developed a custom extrusion printhead […] extrusion printhead is easy to assemble, inexpensive yet functional, compatible with existing slicing software, and can be integrated into mainstream 3D printer control boards

    🤯 This is what most papers on these miss. These materials have the potential to have a huge impact on small scale, local community solutions, but only if it’s done like this! Incredible work.

    Open-source biomaterial deposition system design

    Ok, now they’re just flirting with me