Mycelium, the vegetative part of the mushroom called the hyphae, is a root like network that feeds on cellulose based substances. Part of my thesis research has been observing the nature of mycelia growth on different cellulose substrates and investigating techniques on which to control this growth.dscf6249 My studies have suggested that the growth of mycelium is effected by a number of factors which include nutrient availability, temperature and humidity. Hyphal branching occurs once the hyphae filaments have reached their extreme tips in search for nutrients on the substrate. particle_pathsAdapted from Asher Salomon – Tree: https: www.openprocessing.org/sketch/144159particle_path03The script is adapted from Asher Salomon – Tree simulation found on openprocessing.org.  The particles begin at a specified diameter and move initially away from the starting point in a ‘random’ direction.  The branch then splits and the particle diameter decreases, this happens repeatedly until the particle reduces to a specified size.particle_path01bwThe particle growth varies for each simulation however the randomness is controlled between specific variables. Increasing the amount of particles and calibrating the variables to simulate the growth of mycelium on an agar plate. I adjusted the variables and visualisation and finally achieved what I thought to be a decent simulation of hyphae growth.Video of the simulation and process:

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Project of IaaC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed at Master in Advanced Architecture in 2016/2017

Student: Jessica Dias
Faculty: Angelos Chronis
Course: Introduction to Processing