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== Options #4 ==
Description
Our aim is to create a 3D-printer that can 3D-print biological waste which can be colonized by mycelium, creating 100% biodegradable 3D-printed materials with material properties of those such as leather, wood, cork, and styrofoam. By doing this, we are creating further material capabilities for consumers in this industry whilst preserving the ecosystem by creating green alternatives, creating sustainable solutions to the campus and to the world. The purpose: to create biodegradable alternatives to 3D printing methods currently on the market, but with many of the same capabilites. This is a practical example of how individuals from varied backgrounds of academic study can come together as a team and utilize I&E processes to create positive and profitable solutions to the biggest problems of the world.
Detailed Description
Mycelium is the collection of cells that compose root structure of mushrooms. Mycelium takes dead, composted plant matter and recycles it into a form that can be reused again by living plants. It is nature's own system of recycling, and is essential to ecological balance. Replicating the same functions of these natural processes into the economic system can benefit us all. Long story short, the end goal is to develop a business where we make money off of waste, by turning that waste into valuable material or goods that people want and/or need. Here's the deal. Waste is cheap. Mycelium can effectively colonize many petroleum-based plastics, petroleum itself, cardboard, wood and sawdust etc. Once fully colonized, it can be dried to create a strong and durable material. Based on the combinations of various growth parameters, species, and substrates, many different material qualities are possible, effectively replacing other, more harmful materials.
Tactical Implementation
*Note* Much of the research on many of the subjects below has already been developed. We hope to simply expand on this research in each area, to refine it so that it more appropriatefly fits with our goal.
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<li>Funding: In order to initiate any phase of this endeavor, funding must be received to pay for the equipment and materials needed for the research. We have already recieved and a fund of $850.00 from the Windgate Charitable Foundation to begin our intial "Phase 1 (Proof of Science)" research. Other sources are currently being sought out for <br/>"Phase 2 (Proof of Concept)", such as the SIUC Green fund. The REACH Award is also being considered, and the Venturewell E-Team Grant has been applied for. If granted, this Venturewell grant will give us the funding we need to get this research off the ground, and begin developing a potential product.</li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.4px;">Recruiting the Research Teams: The main team will consist of sub-teams, each focusing on their particular specialties of research. The individuals in these teams will be based on the department in which they reside. </span><span style="font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 1.4;">Bio-Team (Microbiology & Biochemistry), E-Team (Electrical & Mechanical Engineering), ID-Team (Industrial Design), and M-Team (Business & Marketing).</span></li>
<li>Research (Mycology) [B-Team] : This research will focus on which species and and substrates to use, and how to most effectively and efficiently create a growable product that conforms to the material property specifications. Also, to experiment with alternate combinations to develope various material quality options for use later. </li>
<li>Research (Engineering) [E-Team] : This research will focus on creating create a controllable, mechanized 5-axis 3D printer that can extrude colonized compost slurries or agar at the temperatures required to preserve spore and mycelial production while maintaining sterile field. </li>
<li>Marketing and Publicity [M-Team] : The M-Team will be shadowing our research, recording our progress with a journalistic standpoint. The goal of the M-Team during this phase will be to create a story that will get people interested in what we are doing, with monthly updates. The more exposure our project has, the more help we will get, and the more influence our results will have by the end of the project. We want to create a story that people will be interested in and perhaps even want to help out with.</li>
<li>System Testing and Prototyping [All Teams] : Once a process for printing and growing our material is developed by the teams, it will be time to create and expose our tangible research results. This will help get our project even more traction. After this, we will begin refining our processes and finding ways to make them marketable.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 20.16px;">Market Segmentation, Customer Profiling, Lean Startup [ID Team, M-Team] : </span></li>
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<li>Informationals: Held for further information on the event and to speak with potential workshop facilitators (1 month after social media setup)</li>
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