Abstract: A biocomposite material and methods and systems for forming a biocomposite material are provided. In one example, a biocomposite material includes a biopolymer material and an internal structure imparting zonal properties to the biocomposite material, where the biopolymer material at least partially surrounds and/or extends through the internal structure. The biopolymer material includes mycelium grown from a fungal strain.

Abstract: A wearable article and methods and systems for forming a wearable article are provided. In one example, a wearable article includes an internal structure and a biopolymer material at least partially surrounding and/or extending through the internal structure, thereby forming a biocomposite material having zonal properties. The biopolymer material includes mycelium grown from a fungal strain.

Abstract: A multi-part mold formed from a shell mold and a mold base provides efficiency in a manufacturing process. The shell mold may be formed on a positive mold article. The positive mold article may be formed from a rapid manufacturing process. The shell mold may then be formed on a surface of the positive mold article through a coating process that builds a relatively thin coating that results in a mold surface for molding an object represented, at least in part, by the positive mold article. The shell mold is then joined with a mold base effective to support the shell mold for the molding operation.

Abstract: An adaptable mold includes a thermoform material that is able to manufacture different articles. The thermoform material may be brought to a transition temperature at which it may be formed into a first mold cavity for a first article. After using the thermoform material to mold the first article, the thermoform material may then be formed into a second mold cavity for a second article. The thermoform material may be a shape memory polymer able to return to a learned shape to aid in forming to a new mold cavity. The adaptable mold may use a fill material to provide compressive support to the thermoform material while molding.

Abstract: A flash-free mold assembly (100) is provided. The mold assembly comprises a first plate (110) and a second plate (112) adapted to be superimposed on the first plate to define a mold space therein. The first plate comprises one or more projections (120, 122) surrounding the mold space, and the second plate is adapted to be superimposed on the first plate such that it primarily contacts the one or more projections of the first plate.