Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency

Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A... | F1000Research "use strict";function _typeof(t){return(_typeof="function"==typeof Symbol&&"symbol"==typeof Symbol.iterator?function(t){return typeof t}:function(t){return t&&"function"==typeof Symbol&&t.constructor===Symbol&&t!==Symbol.prototype?"symbol":typeof t})(t)}!function(){var t=function(){var t,e,o=[],n=window,r=n;for(;r;){try{if(r.frames.__tcfapiLocator){t=r;break}}catch(t){}if(r===n.top)break;r=r.parent}t||(!function t(){var e=n.document,o=!!n.frames.__tcfapiLocator;if(!o)if(e.body){var r=e.createElement("iframe");r.style.cssText="display:none",r.name="__tcfapiLocator",e.body.appendChild(r)}else setTimeout(t,5);return!o}(),n.__tcfapi=function(){for(var t=arguments.length,n=new Array(t),r=0;r 3&&2===parseInt(n[1],10)&&"boolean"==typeof n[3]&&(e=n[3],"function"==typeof n[2]&&n[2]("set",!0)):"ping"===n[0]?"function"==typeof n[2]&&n[2]({gdprApplies:e,cmpLoaded:!1,cmpStatus:"stub"}):o.push(n)},n.addEventListener("message",(function(t){var e="string"==typeof t.data,o={};if(e)try{o=JSON.parse(t.data)}catch(t){}else o=t.data;var n="object"===_typeof(o)&&null!==o?o.__tcfapiCall:null;n&&window.__tcfapi(n.command,n.version,(function(o,r){var a={__tcfapiReturn:{returnValue:o,success:r,callId:n.callId}};t&&t.source&&t.source.postMessage&&t.source.postMessage(e?JSON.stringify(a):a,"*")}),n.parameter)}),!1))};"undefined"!=typeof module?module.exports=t:t()}(); dataLayer = dataLayer || []; // Standard GTM initialization - Google Consent Mode handles consent automatically (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl+ '>m_auth=hzk0Vc3qFsQYhCrIoHz68A>m_preview=env-1>m_cookies_win=x';f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MWFK8L5J'); ;window.NREUM||(NREUM={});NREUM.init={distributed_tracing:{enabled:true},privacy:{cookies_enabled:true},ajax:{deny_list:["bam.nr-data.net"]}}; ;NREUM.loader_config={accountID:"438030",trustKey:"438030",agentID:"772317073",licenseKey:"97f8f67f26",applicationID:"772317073"} ;NREUM.info={beacon:"bam.nr-data.net",errorBeacon:"bam.nr-data.net",licenseKey:"97f8f67f26",applicationID:"772317073",sa:1} ;/*! For license information please see nr-loader-spa-1.236.0.min.js.LICENSE.txt */ (()=>{"use strict";var e,t,r={5763:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{P_:()=>l,Mt:()=>g,C5:()=>s,DL:()=>v,OP:()=>T,lF:()=>D,Yu:()=>y,Dg:()=>h,CX:()=>c,GE:()=>b,sU:()=>_});var n=r(8632),i=r(9567);const o={beacon:n.ce.beacon,errorBeacon:n.ce.errorBeacon,licenseKey:void 0,applicationID:void 0,sa:void 0,queueTime:void 0,applicationTime:void 0,ttGuid:void 0,user:void 0,account:void 0,product:void 0,extra:void 0,jsAttributes:{},userAttributes:void 0,atts:void 0,transactionName:void 0,tNamePlain:void 0},a={};function s(e){if(!e)throw new Error("All info objects require an agent identifier!");if(!a[e])throw new Error("Info for ".concat(e," was never set"));return a[e]}function c(e,t){if(!e)throw new Error("All info objects require an agent identifier!");a[e]=(0,i.D)(t,o),(0,n.Qy)(e,a[e],"info")}var u=r(7056);const d=()=>{const e={blockSelector:"[data-nr-block]",maskInputOptions:{password:!0}};return{allow_bfcache:!0,privacy:{cookies_enabled:!0},ajax:{deny_list:void 0,enabled:!0,harvestTimeSeconds:10},distributed_tracing:{enabled:void 0,exclude_newrelic_header:void 0,cors_use_newrelic_header:void 0,cors_use_tracecontext_headers:void 0,allowed_origins:void 0},session:{domain:void 0,expiresMs:u.oD,inactiveMs:u.Hb},ssl:void 0,obfuscate:void 0,jserrors:{enabled:!0,harvestTimeSeconds:10},metrics:{enabled:!0},page_action:{enabled:!0,harvestTimeSeconds:30},page_view_event:{enabled:!0},page_view_timing:{enabled:!0,harvestTimeSeconds:30,long_task:!1},session_trace:{enabled:!0,harvestTimeSeconds:10},harvest:{tooManyRequestsDelay:60},session_replay:{enabled:!1,harvestTimeSeconds:60,sampleRate:.1,errorSampleRate:.1,maskTextSelector:"*",maskAllInputs:!0,get blockClass(){return"nr-block"},get ignoreClass(){return"nr-ignore"},get maskTextClass(){return"nr-mask"},get blockSelector(){return e.blockSelector},set blockSelector(t){e.blockSelector+=",".concat(t)},get maskInputOptions(){return e.maskInputOptions},set maskInputOptions(t){e.maskInputOptions={...t,password:!0}}},spa:{enabled:!0,harvestTimeSeconds:10}}},f={};function l(e){if(!e)throw new Error("All configuration objects require an agent identifier!");if(!f[e])throw new Error("Configuration for ".concat(e," was never set"));return f[e]}function h(e,t){if(!e)throw new Error("All configuration objects require an agent identifier!");f[e]=(0,i.D)(t,d()),(0,n.Qy)(e,f[e],"config")}function g(e,t){if(!e)throw new Error("All configuration objects require an agent identifier!");var r=l(e);if(r){for(var n=t.split("."),i=0;i {r.d(t,{D:()=>i});var n=r(50);function i(e,t){try{if(!e||"object"!=typeof e)return(0,n.Z)("Setting a Configurable requires an object as input");if(!t||"object"!=typeof t)return(0,n.Z)("Setting a Configurable requires a model to set its initial properties");const r=Object.create(Object.getPrototypeOf(t),Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptors(t)),o=0===Object.keys(r).length?e:r;for(let a in o)if(void 0!==e[a])try{"object"==typeof e[a]&&"object"==typeof t[a]?r[a]=i(e[a],t[a]):r[a]=e[a]}catch(e){(0,n.Z)("An error occurred while setting a property of a Configurable",e)}return r}catch(e){(0,n.Z)("An error occured while setting a Configurable",e)}}},6818:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{Re:()=>i,gF:()=>o,q4:()=>n});const n="1.236.0",i="PROD",o="CDN"},385:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{FN:()=>a,IF:()=>u,Nk:()=>f,Tt:()=>s,_A:()=>o,il:()=>n,pL:()=>c,v6:()=>i,w1:()=>d});const n="undefined"!=typeof window&&!!window.document,i="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&("undefined"!=typeof self&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope&&self.navigator instanceof WorkerNavigator||"undefined"!=typeof globalThis&&globalThis instanceof WorkerGlobalScope&&globalThis.navigator instanceof WorkerNavigator),o=n?window:"undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&("undefined"!=typeof self&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope&&self||"undefined"!=typeof globalThis&&globalThis instanceof WorkerGlobalScope&&globalThis),a=""+o?.location,s=/iPad|iPhone|iPod/.test(navigator.userAgent),c=s&&"undefined"==typeof SharedWorker,u=(()=>{const e=navigator.userAgent.match(/Firefox[/\s](\d+\.\d+)/);return Array.isArray(e)&&e.length>=2?+e[1]:0})(),d=Boolean(n&&window.document.documentMode),f=!!navigator.sendBeacon},1117:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{w:()=>o});var n=r(50);const i={agentIdentifier:"",ee:void 0};class o{constructor(e){try{if("object"!=typeof e)return(0,n.Z)("shared context requires an object as input");this.sharedContext={},Object.assign(this.sharedContext,i),Object.entries(e).forEach((e=>{let[t,r]=e;Object.keys(i).includes(t)&&(this.sharedContext[t]=r)}))}catch(e){(0,n.Z)("An error occured while setting SharedContext",e)}}}},8e3:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{L:()=>d,R:()=>c});var n=r(2177),i=r(1284),o=r(4322),a=r(3325);const s={};function c(e,t){const r={staged:!1,priority:a.p[t]||0};u(e),s[e].get(t)||s[e].set(t,r)}function u(e){e&&(s[e]||(s[e]=new Map))}function d(){let e=arguments.length>0&&void 0!==arguments[0]?arguments[0]:"",t=arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1]?arguments[1]:"feature";if(u(e),!e||!s[e].get(t))return a(t);s[e].get(t).staged=!0;const r=[...s[e]];function a(t){const r=e?n.ee.get(e):n.ee,a=o.X.handlers;if(r.backlog&&a){var s=r.backlog[t],c=a[t];if(c){for(var u=0;s&&u {let[t,r]=e;return r.staged}))&&(r.sort(((e,t)=>e[1].priority-t[1].priority)),r.forEach((e=>{let[t]=e;a(t)})))}function f(e,t){var r=e[1];(0,i.D)(t[r],(function(t,r){var n=e[0];if(r[0]===n){var i=r[1],o=e[3],a=e[2];i.apply(o,a)}}))}},2177:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{c:()=>f,ee:()=>u});var n=r(8632),i=r(2210),o=r(1284),a=r(5763),s="nr@context";let c=(0,n.fP)();var u;function d(){}function f(e){return(0,i.X)(e,s,l)}function l(){return new d}function h(){u.aborted=!0,u.backlog={}}c.ee?u=c.ee:(u=function e(t,r){var n={},c={},f={},g=!1;try{g=16===r.length&&(0,a.OP)(r).isolatedBacklog}catch(e){}var p={on:b,addEventListener:b,removeEventListener:y,emit:v,get:x,listeners:w,context:m,buffer:A,abort:h,aborted:!1,isBuffering:E,debugId:r,backlog:g?{}:t&&"object"==typeof t.backlog?t.backlog:{}};return p;function m(e){return e&&e instanceof d?e:e?(0,i.X)(e,s,l):l()}function v(e,r,n,i,o){if(!1!==o&&(o=!0),!u.aborted||i){t&&o&&t.emit(e,r,n);for(var a=m(n),s=w(e),d=s.length,f=0;fn,p:()=>i});var n=r(2177).ee.get("handle");function i(e,t,r,i,o){o?(o.buffer([e],i),o.emit(e,t,r)):(n.buffer([e],i),n.emit(e,t,r))}},4322:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{X:()=>o});var n=r(5546);o.on=a;var i=o.handlers={};function o(e,t,r,o){a(o||n.E,i,e,t,r)}function a(e,t,r,i,o){o||(o="feature"),e||(e=n.E);var a=t[o]=t[o]||{};(a[r]=a[r]||[]).push([e,i])}},3239:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{bP:()=>s,iz:()=>c,m$:()=>a});var n=r(385);let i=!1,o=!1;try{const e={get passive(){return i=!0,!1},get signal(){return o=!0,!1}};n._A.addEventListener("test",null,e),n._A.removeEventListener("test",null,e)}catch(e){}function a(e,t){return i||o?{capture:!!e,passive:i,signal:t}:!!e}function s(e,t){let r=arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2]&&arguments[2],n=arguments.length>3?arguments[3]:void 0;window.addEventListener(e,t,a(r,n))}function c(e,t){let r=arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2]&&arguments[2],n=arguments.length>3?arguments[3]:void 0;document.addEventListener(e,t,a(r,n))}},4402:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{Ht:()=>u,M:()=>c,Rl:()=>a,ky:()=>s});var n=r(385);const i="xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx";function o(e,t){return e?15&e[t]:16*Math.random()|0}function a(){const e=n._A?.crypto||n._A?.msCrypto;let t,r=0;return e&&e.getRandomValues&&(t=e.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(31))),i.split("").map((e=>"x"===e?o(t,++r).toString(16):"y"===e?(3&o()|8).toString(16):e)).join("")}function s(e){const t=n._A?.crypto||n._A?.msCrypto;let r,i=0;t&&t.getRandomValues&&(r=t.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(31)));const a=[];for(var s=0;s {r.d(t,{Bq:()=>n,Hb:()=>o,oD:()=>i});const n="NRBA",i=144e5,o=18e5},7894:(e,t,r)=>{function n(){return Math.round(performance.now())}r.d(t,{z:()=>n})},7243:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{e:()=>o});var n=r(385),i={};function o(e){if(e in i)return i[e];if(0===(e||"").indexOf("data:"))return{protocol:"data"};let t;var r=n._A?.location,o={};if(n.il)t=document.createElement("a"),t.href=e;else try{t=new URL(e,r.href)}catch(e){return o}o.port=t.port;var a=t.href.split("://");!o.port&&a[1]&&(o.port=a[1].split("/")[0].split("@").pop().split(":")[1]),o.port&&"0"!==o.port||(o.port="https"===a[0]?"443":"80"),o.hostname=t.hostname||r.hostname,o.pathname=t.pathname,o.protocol=a[0],"/"!==o.pathname.charAt(0)&&(o.pathname="/"+o.pathname);var s=!t.protocol||":"===t.protocol||t.protocol===r.protocol,c=t.hostname===r.hostname&&t.port===r.port;return o.sameOrigin=s&&(!t.hostname||c),"/"===o.pathname&&(i[e]=o),o}},50:(e,t,r)=>{function n(e,t){"function"==typeof console.warn&&(console.warn("New Relic: ".concat(e)),t&&console.warn(t))}r.d(t,{Z:()=>n})},2587:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{N:()=>c,T:()=>u});var n=r(2177),i=r(5546),o=r(8e3),a=r(3325);const s={stn:[a.D.sessionTrace],err:[a.D.jserrors,a.D.metrics],ins:[a.D.pageAction],spa:[a.D.spa],sr:[a.D.sessionReplay,a.D.sessionTrace]};function c(e,t){const r=n.ee.get(t);e&&"object"==typeof e&&(Object.entries(e).forEach((e=>{let[t,n]=e;void 0===u[t]&&(s[t]?s[t].forEach((e=>{n?(0,i.p)("feat-"+t,[],void 0,e,r):(0,i.p)("block-"+t,[],void 0,e,r),(0,i.p)("rumresp-"+t,[Boolean(n)],void 0,e,r)})):n&&(0,i.p)("feat-"+t,[],void 0,void 0,r),u[t]=Boolean(n))})),Object.keys(s).forEach((e=>{void 0===u[e]&&(s[e]?.forEach((t=>(0,i.p)("rumresp-"+e,[!1],void 0,t,r))),u[e]=!1)})),(0,o.L)(t,a.D.pageViewEvent))}const u={}},2210:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{X:()=>i});var n=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty;function i(e,t,r){if(n.call(e,t))return e[t];var i=r();if(Object.defineProperty&&Object.keys)try{return Object.defineProperty(e,t,{value:i,writable:!0,enumerable:!1}),i}catch(e){}return e[t]=i,i}},1284:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{D:()=>n});const n=(e,t)=>Object.entries(e||{}).map((e=>{let[r,n]=e;return t(r,n)}))},4351:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{P:()=>o});var n=r(2177);const i=()=>{const e=new WeakSet;return(t,r)=>{if("object"==typeof r&&null!==r){if(e.has(r))return;e.add(r)}return r}};function o(e){try{return JSON.stringify(e,i())}catch(e){try{n.ee.emit("internal-error",[e])}catch(e){}}}},3960:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{K:()=>a,b:()=>o});var n=r(3239);function i(){return"undefined"==typeof document||"complete"===document.readyState}function o(e,t){if(i())return e();(0,n.bP)("load",e,t)}function a(e){if(i())return e();(0,n.iz)("DOMContentLoaded",e)}},8632:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{EZ:()=>u,Qy:()=>c,ce:()=>o,fP:()=>a,gG:()=>d,mF:()=>s});var n=r(7894),i=r(385);const o={beacon:"bam.nr-data.net",errorBeacon:"bam.nr-data.net"};function a(){return i._A.NREUM||(i._A.NREUM={}),void 0===i._A.newrelic&&(i._A.newrelic=i._A.NREUM),i._A.NREUM}function s(){let e=a();return e.o||(e.o={ST:i._A.setTimeout,SI:i._A.setImmediate,CT:i._A.clearTimeout,XHR:i._A.XMLHttpRequest,REQ:i._A.Request,EV:i._A.Event,PR:i._A.Promise,MO:i._A.MutationObserver,FETCH:i._A.fetch}),e}function c(e,t,r){let i=a();const o=i.initializedAgents||{},s=o[e]||{};return Object.keys(s).length||(s.initializedAt={ms:(0,n.z)(),date:new Date}),i.initializedAgents={...o,[e]:{...s,[r]:t}},i}function u(e,t){a()[e]=t}function d(){return function(){let e=a();const t=e.info||{};e.info={beacon:o.beacon,errorBeacon:o.errorBeacon,...t}}(),function(){let e=a();const t=e.init||{};e.init={...t}}(),s(),function(){let e=a();const t=e.loader_config||{};e.loader_config={...t}}(),a()}},7956:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{N:()=>i});var n=r(3239);function i(e){let t=arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1]&&arguments[1],r=arguments.length>2?arguments[2]:void 0,i=arguments.length>3?arguments[3]:void 0;return void(0,n.iz)("visibilitychange",(function(){if(t)return void("hidden"==document.visibilityState&&e());e(document.visibilityState)}),r,i)}},1214:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{em:()=>v,u5:()=>N,QU:()=>S,_L:()=>I,Gm:()=>L,Lg:()=>M,gy:()=>U,BV:()=>Q,Kf:()=>ee});var n=r(2177);const i="nr@original";var o=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty,a=!1;function s(e,t){return e||(e=n.ee),r.inPlace=function(e,t,n,i,o){n||(n="");var a,s,c,u="-"===n.charAt(0);for(c=0;c 2?n-2:0),o=2;o {r(A[T],e,w),r(E[T],e,w)})),r(l._A,"fetch",y),t.on(y+"end",(function(e,r){var n=this;if(r){var i=r.headers.get("content-length");null!==i&&(n.rxSize=i),t.emit(y+"done",[null,r],n)}else t.emit(y+"done",[e],n)})),t}const O={},j=["pushState","replaceState"];function S(e){const t=function(e){return(e||n.ee).get("history")}(e);return!l.il||O[t.debugId]++||(O[t.debugId]=1,s(t).inPlace(window.history,j,"-")),t}var P=r(3239);const C={},R=["appendChild","insertBefore","replaceChild"];function I(e){const t=function(e){return(e||n.ee).get("jsonp")}(e);if(!l.il||C[t.debugId])return t;C[t.debugId]=!0;var r=s(t),i=/[?&](?:callback|cb)=([^&#]+)/,o=/(.*)\.([^.]+)/,a=/^(\w+)(\.|$)(.*)$/;function c(e,t){var r=e.match(a),n=r[1],i=r[3];return i?c(i,t[n]):t[n]}return r.inPlace(Node.prototype,R,"dom-"),t.on("dom-start",(function(e){!function(e){if(!e||"string"!=typeof e.nodeName||"script"!==e.nodeName.toLowerCase())return;if("function"!=typeof e.addEventListener)return;var n=(a=e.src,s=a.match(i),s?s[1]:null);var a,s;if(!n)return;var u=function(e){var t=e.match(o);if(t&&t.length>=3)return{key:t[2],parent:c(t[1],window)};return{key:e,parent:window}}(n);if("function"!=typeof u.parent[u.key])return;var d={};function f(){t.emit("jsonp-end",[],d),e.removeEventListener("load",f,(0,P.m$)(!1)),e.removeEventListener("error",l,(0,P.m$)(!1))}function l(){t.emit("jsonp-error",[],d),t.emit("jsonp-end",[],d),e.removeEventListener("load",f,(0,P.m$)(!1)),e.removeEventListener("error",l,(0,P.m$)(!1))}r.inPlace(u.parent,[u.key],"cb-",d),e.addEventListener("load",f,(0,P.m$)(!1)),e.addEventListener("error",l,(0,P.m$)(!1)),t.emit("new-jsonp",[e.src],d)}(e[0])})),t}var k=r(5763);const H={};function L(e){const t=function(e){return(e||n.ee).get("mutation")}(e);if(!l.il||H[t.debugId])return t;H[t.debugId]=!0;var r=s(t),i=k.Yu.MO;return i&&(window.MutationObserver=function(e){return this instanceof i?new i(r(e,"fn-")):i.apply(this,arguments)},MutationObserver.prototype=i.prototype),t}const z={};function M(e){const t=function(e){return(e||n.ee).get("promise")}(e);if(z[t.debugId])return t;z[t.debugId]=!0;var r=n.c,o=s(t),a=k.Yu.PR;return a&&function(){function e(r){var n=t.context(),i=o(r,"executor-",n,null,!1);const s=Reflect.construct(a,[i],e);return t.context(s).getCtx=function(){return n},s}l._A.Promise=e,Object.defineProperty(e,"name",{value:"Promise"}),e.toString=function(){return a.toString()},Object.setPrototypeOf(e,a),["all","race"].forEach((function(r){const n=a[r];e[r]=function(e){let i=!1;[...e||[]].forEach((e=>{this.resolve(e).then(a("all"===r),a(!1))}));const o=n.apply(this,arguments);return o;function a(e){return function(){t.emit("propagate",[null,!i],o,!1,!1),i=i||!e}}}})),["resolve","reject"].forEach((function(r){const n=a[r];e[r]=function(e){const r=n.apply(this,arguments);return e!==r&&t.emit("propagate",[e,!0],r,!1,!1),r}})),e.prototype=a.prototype;const n=a.prototype.then;a.prototype.then=function(){var e=this,i=r(e);i.promise=e;for(var a=arguments.length,s=new Array(a),c=0;c e())),t};function m(e,t){i.inPlace(t,["onreadystatechange"],"fn-",E)}function b(){var e=this,t=r.context(e);e.readyState>3&&!t.resolved&&(t.resolved=!0,r.emit("xhr-resolved",[],e)),i.inPlace(e,f,"fn-",E)}if(function(e,t){for(var r in e)t[r]=e[r]}(o,p),p.prototype=o.prototype,i.inPlace(p.prototype,J,"-xhr-",E),r.on("send-xhr-start",(function(e,t){m(e,t),function(e){h.push(e),a&&(y?y.then(A):u?u(A):(w=-w,x.data=w))}(t)})),r.on("open-xhr-start",m),a){var y=c&&c.resolve();if(!u&&!c){var w=1,x=document.createTextNode(w);new a(A).observe(x,{characterData:!0})}}else t.on("fn-end",(function(e){e[0]&&e[0].type===d||A()}));function A(){for(var e=0;e {r.d(t,{t:()=>n});const n=r(3325).D.ajax},6660:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{A:()=>i,t:()=>n});const n=r(3325).D.jserrors,i="nr@seenError"},3081:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{gF:()=>o,mY:()=>i,t9:()=>n,vz:()=>s,xS:()=>a});const n=r(3325).D.metrics,i="sm",o="cm",a="storeSupportabilityMetrics",s="storeEventMetrics"},4649:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{t:()=>n});const n=r(3325).D.pageAction},7633:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{Dz:()=>i,OJ:()=>a,qw:()=>o,t9:()=>n});const n=r(3325).D.pageViewEvent,i="firstbyte",o="domcontent",a="windowload"},9251:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{t:()=>n});const n=r(3325).D.pageViewTiming},3614:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{BST_RESOURCE:()=>i,END:()=>s,FEATURE_NAME:()=>n,FN_END:()=>u,FN_START:()=>c,PUSH_STATE:()=>d,RESOURCE:()=>o,START:()=>a});const n=r(3325).D.sessionTrace,i="bstResource",o="resource",a="-start",s="-end",c="fn"+a,u="fn"+s,d="pushState"},7836:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{BODY:()=>A,CB_END:()=>E,CB_START:()=>u,END:()=>x,FEATURE_NAME:()=>i,FETCH:()=>_,FETCH_BODY:()=>v,FETCH_DONE:()=>m,FETCH_START:()=>p,FN_END:()=>c,FN_START:()=>s,INTERACTION:()=>l,INTERACTION_API:()=>d,INTERACTION_EVENTS:()=>o,JSONP_END:()=>b,JSONP_NODE:()=>g,JS_TIME:()=>T,MAX_TIMER_BUDGET:()=>a,REMAINING:()=>f,SPA_NODE:()=>h,START:()=>w,originalSetTimeout:()=>y});var n=r(5763);const i=r(3325).D.spa,o=["click","submit","keypress","keydown","keyup","change"],a=999,s="fn-start",c="fn-end",u="cb-start",d="api-ixn-",f="remaining",l="interaction",h="spaNode",g="jsonpNode",p="fetch-start",m="fetch-done",v="fetch-body-",b="jsonp-end",y=n.Yu.ST,w="-start",x="-end",A="-body",E="cb"+x,T="jsTime",_="fetch"},5938:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{W:()=>o});var n=r(5763),i=r(2177);class o{constructor(e,t,r){this.agentIdentifier=e,this.aggregator=t,this.ee=i.ee.get(e,(0,n.OP)(this.agentIdentifier).isolatedBacklog),this.featureName=r,this.blocked=!1}}},9144:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{j:()=>m});var n=r(3325),i=r(5763),o=r(5546),a=r(2177),s=r(7894),c=r(8e3),u=r(3960),d=r(385),f=r(50),l=r(3081),h=r(8632);function g(){const e=(0,h.gG)();["setErrorHandler","finished","addToTrace","inlineHit","addRelease","addPageAction","setCurrentRouteName","setPageViewName","setCustomAttribute","interaction","noticeError","setUserId"].forEach((t=>{e[t]=function(){for(var r=arguments.length,n=new Array(r),i=0;i 1?r-1:0),i=1;i {e.exposed&&e.api[t]&&o.push(e.api[t](...n))})),o.length>1?o:o[0]}(t,...n)}}))}var p=r(2587);function m(e){let t=arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1]?arguments[1]:{},m=arguments.length>2?arguments[2]:void 0,v=arguments.length>3?arguments[3]:void 0,{init:b,info:y,loader_config:w,runtime:x={loaderType:m},exposed:A=!0}=t;const E=(0,h.gG)();y||(b=E.init,y=E.info,w=E.loader_config),(0,i.Dg)(e,b||{}),(0,i.GE)(e,w||{}),(0,i.sU)(e,x),y.jsAttributes??={},d.v6&&(y.jsAttributes.isWorker=!0),(0,i.CX)(e,y),g();const T=function(e,t){t||(0,c.R)(e,"api");const h={};var g=a.ee.get(e),p=g.get("tracer"),m="api-",v=m+"ixn-";function b(t,r,n,o){const a=(0,i.C5)(e);return null===r?delete a.jsAttributes[t]:(0,i.CX)(e,{...a,jsAttributes:{...a.jsAttributes,[t]:r}}),x(m,n,!0,o||null===r?"session":void 0)(t,r)}function y(){}["setErrorHandler","finished","addToTrace","inlineHit","addRelease"].forEach((e=>h[e]=x(m,e,!0,"api"))),h.addPageAction=x(m,"addPageAction",!0,n.D.pageAction),h.setCurrentRouteName=x(m,"routeName",!0,n.D.spa),h.setPageViewName=function(t,r){if("string"==typeof t)return"/"!==t.charAt(0)&&(t="/"+t),(0,i.OP)(e).customTransaction=(r||"http://custom.transaction")+t,x(m,"setPageViewName",!0)()},h.setCustomAttribute=function(e,t){let r=arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2]&&arguments[2];if("string"==typeof e){if(["string","number"].includes(typeof t)||null===t)return b(e,t,"setCustomAttribute",r);(0,f.Z)("Failed to execute setCustomAttribute.\nNon-null value must be a string or number type, but a type of was provided."))}else(0,f.Z)("Failed to execute setCustomAttribute.\nName must be a string type, but a type of was provided."))},h.setUserId=function(e){if("string"==typeof e||null===e)return b("enduser.id",e,"setUserId",!0);(0,f.Z)("Failed to execute setUserId.\nNon-null value must be a string type, but a type of was provided."))},h.interaction=function(){return(new y).get()};var w=y.prototype={createTracer:function(e,t){var r={},i=this,a="function"==typeof t;return(0,o.p)(v+"tracer",[(0,s.z)(),e,r],i,n.D.spa,g),function(){if(p.emit((a?"":"no-")+"fn-start",[(0,s.z)(),i,a],r),a)try{return t.apply(this,arguments)}catch(e){throw p.emit("fn-err",[arguments,this,"string"==typeof e?new Error(e):e],r),e}finally{p.emit("fn-end",[(0,s.z)()],r)}}}};function x(e,t,r,i){return function(){return(0,o.p)(l.xS,["API/"+t+"/called"],void 0,n.D.metrics,g),i&&(0,o.p)(e+t,[(0,s.z)(),...arguments],r?null:this,i,g),r?void 0:this}}function A(){r.e(439).then(r.bind(r,7438)).then((t=>{let{setAPI:r}=t;r(e),(0,c.L)(e,"api")})).catch((()=>(0,f.Z)("Downloading runtime APIs failed...")))}return["actionText","setName","setAttribute","save","ignore","onEnd","getContext","end","get"].forEach((e=>{w[e]=x(v,e,void 0,n.D.spa)})),h.noticeError=function(e,t){"string"==typeof e&&(e=new Error(e)),(0,o.p)(l.xS,["API/noticeError/called"],void 0,n.D.metrics,g),(0,o.p)("err",[e,(0,s.z)(),!1,t],void 0,n.D.jserrors,g)},d.il?(0,u.b)((()=>A()),!0):A(),h}(e,v);return(0,h.Qy)(e,T,"api"),(0,h.Qy)(e,A,"exposed"),(0,h.EZ)("activatedFeatures",p.T),T}},3325:(e,t,r)=>{r.d(t,{D:()=>n,p:()=>i});const n={ajax:"ajax",jserrors:"jserrors",metrics:"metrics",pageAction:"page_action",pageViewEvent:"page_view_event",pageViewTiming:"page_view_timing",sessionReplay:"session_replay",sessionTrace:"session_trace",spa:"spa"},i={[n.pageViewEvent]:1,[n.pageViewTiming]:2,[n.metrics]:3,[n.jserrors]:4,[n.ajax]:5,[n.sessionTrace]:6,[n.pageAction]:7,[n.spa]:8,[n.sessionReplay]:9}}},n={};function i(e){var t=n[e];if(void 0!==t)return t.exports;var o=n[e]={exports:{}};return r[e](o,o.exports,i),o.exports}i.m=r,i.d=(e,t)=>{for(var r in t)i.o(t,r)&&!i.o(e,r)&&Object.defineProperty(e,r,{enumerable:!0,get:t[r]})},i.f={},i.e=e=>Promise.all(Object.keys(i.f).reduce(((t,r)=>(i.f[r](e,t),t)),[])),i.u=e=>(({78:"page_action-aggregate",147:"metrics-aggregate",242:"session-manager",317:"jserrors-aggregate",348:"page_view_timing-aggregate",412:"lazy-feature-loader",439:"async-api",538:"recorder",590:"session_replay-aggregate",675:"compressor",733:"session_trace-aggregate",786:"page_view_event-aggregate",873:"spa-aggregate",898:"ajax-aggregate"}[e]||e)+"."+{78:"ac76d497",147:"3dc53903",148:"1a20d5fe",242:"2a64278a",317:"49e41428",348:"bd6de33a",412:"2f55ce66",439:"30bd804e",538:"1b18459f",590:"cf0efb30",675:"ae9f91a8",733:"83105561",786:"06482edd",860:"03a8b7a5",873:"e6b09d52",898:"998ef92b"}[e]+"-1.236.0.min.js"),i.o=(e,t)=>Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(e,t),e={},t="NRBA:",i.l=(r,n,o,a)=>{if(e[r])e[r].push(n);else{var s,c;if(void 0!==o)for(var u=document.getElementsByTagName("script"),d=0;d {s.onerror=s.onload=null,clearTimeout(h);var i=e[r];if(delete e[r],s.parentNode&&s.parentNode.removeChild(s),i&&i.forEach((e=>e(n))),t)return t(n)},h=setTimeout(l.bind(null,void 0,{type:"timeout",target:s}),12e4);s.onerror=l.bind(null,s.onerror),s.onload=l.bind(null,s.onload),c&&document.head.appendChild(s)}},i.r=e=>{"undefined"!=typeof Symbol&&Symbol.toStringTag&&Object.defineProperty(e,Symbol.toStringTag,{value:"Module"}),Object.defineProperty(e,"__esModule",{value:!0})},i.j=364,i.p="https://js-agent.newrelic.com/",(()=>{var e={364:0,953:0};i.f.j=(t,r)=>{var n=i.o(e,t)?e[t]:void 0;if(0!==n)if(n)r.push(n[2]);else{var o=new Promise(((r,i)=>n=e[t]=[r,i]));r.push(n[2]=o);var a=i.p+i.u(t),s=new Error;i.l(a,(r=>{if(i.o(e,t)&&(0!==(n=e[t])&&(e[t]=void 0),n)){var o=r&&("load"===r.type?"missing":r.type),a=r&&r.target&&r.target.src;s.message="Loading chunk "+t+" failed.\n("+o+": "+a+")",s.name="ChunkLoadError",s.type=o,s.request=a,n[1](s)}}),"chunk-"+t,t)}};var t=(t,r)=>{var n,o,[a,s,c]=r,u=0;if(a.some((t=>0!==e[t]))){for(n in s)i.o(s,n)&&(i.m[n]=s[n]);if(c)c(i)}for(t&&t(r);u {i.r(o);var e=i(3325),t=i(5763);const r=Object.values(e.D);function n(e){const n={};return r.forEach((r=>{n[r]=function(e,r){return!1!==(0,t.Mt)(r,"".concat(e,".enabled"))}(r,e)})),n}var a=i(9144);var s=i(5546),c=i(385),u=i(8e3),d=i(5938),f=i(3960),l=i(50);class h extends d.W{constructor(e,t,r){let n=!(arguments.length>3&&void 0!==arguments[3])||arguments[3];super(e,t,r),this.auto=n,this.abortHandler,this.featAggregate,this.onAggregateImported,n&&(0,u.R)(e,r)}importAggregator(){let e=arguments.length>0&&void 0!==arguments[0]?arguments[0]:{};if(this.featAggregate||!this.auto)return;const r=c.il&&!0===(0,t.Mt)(this.agentIdentifier,"privacy.cookies_enabled");let n;this.onAggregateImported=new Promise((e=>{n=e}));const o=async()=>{let t;try{if(r){const{setupAgentSession:e}=await Promise.all([i.e(860),i.e(242)]).then(i.bind(i,3228));t=e(this.agentIdentifier)}}catch(e){(0,l.Z)("A problem occurred when starting up session manager. This page will not start or extend any session.",e)}try{if(!this.shouldImportAgg(this.featureName,t))return void(0,u.L)(this.agentIdentifier,this.featureName);const{lazyFeatureLoader:r}=await i.e(412).then(i.bind(i,8582)),{Aggregate:o}=await r(this.featureName,"aggregate");this.featAggregate=new o(this.agentIdentifier,this.aggregator,e),n(!0)}catch(e){(0,l.Z)("Downloading and initializing ".concat(this.featureName," failed..."),e),this.abortHandler?.(),n(!1)}};c.il?(0,f.b)((()=>o()),!0):o()}shouldImportAgg(r,n){return r!==e.D.sessionReplay||!1!==(0,t.Mt)(this.agentIdentifier,"session_trace.enabled")&&(!!n?.isNew||!!n?.state.sessionReplay)}}var g=i(7633),p=i(7894);class m extends h{static featureName=g.t9;constructor(r,n){let i=!(arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2];if(super(r,n,g.t9,i),("undefined"==typeof PerformanceNavigationTiming||c.Tt)&&"undefined"!=typeof PerformanceTiming){const n=(0,t.OP)(r);n[g.Dz]=Math.max(Date.now()-n.offset,0),(0,f.K)((()=>n[g.qw]=Math.max((0,p.z)()-n[g.Dz],0))),(0,f.b)((()=>{const t=(0,p.z)();n[g.OJ]=Math.max(t-n[g.Dz],0),(0,s.p)("timing",["load",t],void 0,e.D.pageViewTiming,this.ee)}))}this.importAggregator()}}var v=i(1117),b=i(1284);class y extends v.w{constructor(e){super(e),this.aggregatedData={}}store(e,t,r,n,i){var o=this.getBucket(e,t,r,i);return o.metrics=function(e,t){t||(t={count:0});return t.count+=1,(0,b.D)(e,(function(e,r){t[e]=w(r,t[e])})),t}(n,o.metrics),o}merge(e,t,r,n,i){var o=this.getBucket(e,t,n,i);if(o.metrics){var a=o.metrics;a.count+=r.count,(0,b.D)(r,(function(e,t){if("count"!==e){var n=a[e],i=r[e];i&&!i.c?a[e]=w(i.t,n):a[e]=function(e,t){if(!t)return e;t.c||(t=x(t.t));return t.min=Math.min(e.min,t.min),t.max=Math.max(e.max,t.max),t.t+=e.t,t.sos+=e.sos,t.c+=e.c,t}(i,a[e])}}))}else o.metrics=r}storeMetric(e,t,r,n){var i=this.getBucket(e,t,r);return i.stats=w(n,i.stats),i}getBucket(e,t,r,n){this.aggregatedData[e]||(this.aggregatedData[e]={});var i=this.aggregatedData[e][t];return i||(i=this.aggregatedData[e][t]={params:r||{}},n&&(i.custom=n)),i}get(e,t){return t?this.aggregatedData[e]&&this.aggregatedData[e][t]:this.aggregatedData[e]}take(e){for(var t={},r="",n=!1,i=0;i t.max&&(t.max=e),e 2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2];super(e,r,j.t,n),c.il&&((0,t.OP)(e).initHidden=Boolean("hidden"===document.visibilityState),(0,N.N)((()=>(0,s.p)("docHidden",[(0,p.z)()],void 0,j.t,this.ee)),!0),(0,O.bP)("pagehide",(()=>(0,s.p)("winPagehide",[(0,p.z)()],void 0,j.t,this.ee))),this.importAggregator())}}var P=i(3081);class C extends h{static featureName=P.t9;constructor(e,t){let r=!(arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2];super(e,t,P.t9,r),this.importAggregator()}}var R,I=i(2210),k=i(1214),H=i(2177),L={};try{R=localStorage.getItem("__nr_flags").split(","),console&&"function"==typeof console.log&&(L.console=!0,-1!==R.indexOf("dev")&&(L.dev=!0),-1!==R.indexOf("nr_dev")&&(L.nrDev=!0))}catch(e){}function z(e){try{L.console&&z(e)}catch(e){}}L.nrDev&&H.ee.on("internal-error",(function(e){z(e.stack)})),L.dev&&H.ee.on("fn-err",(function(e,t,r){z(r.stack)})),L.dev&&(z("NR AGENT IN DEVELOPMENT MODE"),z("flags: "+(0,b.D)(L,(function(e,t){return e})).join(", ")));var M=i(6660);class B extends h{static featureName=M.t;constructor(r,n){let i=!(arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2];super(r,n,M.t,i),this.skipNext=0;try{this.removeOnAbort=new AbortController}catch(e){}const o=this;o.ee.on("fn-start",(function(e,t,r){o.abortHandler&&(o.skipNext+=1)})),o.ee.on("fn-err",(function(t,r,n){o.abortHandler&&!n[M.A]&&((0,I.X)(n,M.A,(function(){return!0})),this.thrown=!0,(0,s.p)("err",[n,(0,p.z)()],void 0,e.D.jserrors,o.ee))})),o.ee.on("fn-end",(function(){o.abortHandler&&!this.thrown&&o.skipNext>0&&(o.skipNext-=1)})),o.ee.on("internal-error",(function(t){(0,s.p)("ierr",[t,(0,p.z)(),!0],void 0,e.D.jserrors,o.ee)})),this.origOnerror=c._A.onerror,c._A.onerror=this.onerrorHandler.bind(this),c._A.addEventListener("unhandledrejection",(t=>{const r=function(e){let t="Unhandled Promise Rejection: ";if(e instanceof Error)try{return e.message=t+e.message,e}catch(t){return e}if(void 0===e)return new Error(t);try{return new Error(t+(0,D.P)(e))}catch(e){return new Error(t)}}(t.reason);(0,s.p)("err",[r,(0,p.z)(),!1,{unhandledPromiseRejection:1}],void 0,e.D.jserrors,this.ee)}),(0,O.m$)(!1,this.removeOnAbort?.signal)),(0,k.gy)(this.ee),(0,k.BV)(this.ee),(0,k.em)(this.ee),(0,t.OP)(r).xhrWrappable&&(0,k.Kf)(this.ee),this.abortHandler=this.#e,this.importAggregator()}#e(){this.removeOnAbort?.abort(),this.abortHandler=void 0}onerrorHandler(t,r,n,i,o){"function"==typeof this.origOnerror&&this.origOnerror(...arguments);try{this.skipNext?this.skipNext-=1:(0,s.p)("err",[o||new F(t,r,n),(0,p.z)()],void 0,e.D.jserrors,this.ee)}catch(t){try{(0,s.p)("ierr",[t,(0,p.z)(),!0],void 0,e.D.jserrors,this.ee)}catch(e){}}return!1}}function F(e,t,r){this.message=e||"Uncaught error with no additional information",this.sourceURL=t,this.line=r}let U=1;const q="nr@id";function G(e){const t=typeof e;return!e||"object"!==t&&"function"!==t?-1:e===c._A?0:(0,I.X)(e,q,(function(){return U++}))}function V(e){if("string"==typeof e&&e.length)return e.length;if("object"==typeof e){if("undefined"!=typeof ArrayBuffer&&e instanceof ArrayBuffer&&e.byteLength)return e.byteLength;if("undefined"!=typeof Blob&&e instanceof Blob&&e.size)return e.size;if(!("undefined"!=typeof FormData&&e instanceof FormData))try{return(0,D.P)(e).length}catch(e){return}}}var X=i(7243);class W{constructor(e){this.agentIdentifier=e,this.generateTracePayload=this.generateTracePayload.bind(this),this.shouldGenerateTrace=this.shouldGenerateTrace.bind(this)}generateTracePayload(e){if(!this.shouldGenerateTrace(e))return null;var r=(0,t.DL)(this.agentIdentifier);if(!r)return null;var n=(r.accountID||"").toString()||null,i=(r.agentID||"").toString()||null,o=(r.trustKey||"").toString()||null;if(!n||!i)return null;var a=(0,_.M)(),s=(0,_.Ht)(),c=Date.now(),u={spanId:a,traceId:s,timestamp:c};return(e.sameOrigin||this.isAllowedOrigin(e)&&this.useTraceContextHeadersForCors())&&(u.traceContextParentHeader=this.generateTraceContextParentHeader(a,s),u.traceContextStateHeader=this.generateTraceContextStateHeader(a,c,n,i,o)),(e.sameOrigin&&!this.excludeNewrelicHeader()||!e.sameOrigin&&this.isAllowedOrigin(e)&&this.useNewrelicHeaderForCors())&&(u.newrelicHeader=this.generateTraceHeader(a,s,c,n,i,o)),u}generateTraceContextParentHeader(e,t){return"00-"+t+"-"+e+"-01"}generateTraceContextStateHeader(e,t,r,n,i){return i+"@nr=0-1-"+r+"-"+n+"-"+e+"----"+t}generateTraceHeader(e,t,r,n,i,o){if(!("function"==typeof c._A?.btoa))return null;var a={v:[0,1],d:{ty:"Browser",ac:n,ap:i,id:e,tr:t,ti:r}};return o&&n!==o&&(a.d.tk=o),btoa((0,D.P)(a))}shouldGenerateTrace(e){return this.isDtEnabled()&&this.isAllowedOrigin(e)}isAllowedOrigin(e){var r=!1,n={};if((0,t.Mt)(this.agentIdentifier,"distributed_tracing")&&(n=(0,t.P_)(this.agentIdentifier).distributed_tracing),e.sameOrigin)r=!0;else if(n.allowed_origins instanceof Array)for(var i=0;i 2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2];super(r,n,Z.t,i),(0,t.OP)(r).xhrWrappable&&(this.dt=new W(r),this.handler=(e,t,r,n)=>(0,s.p)(e,t,r,n,this.ee),(0,k.u5)(this.ee),(0,k.Kf)(this.ee),function(r,n,i,o){function a(e){var t=this;t.totalCbs=0,t.called=0,t.cbTime=0,t.end=E,t.ended=!1,t.xhrGuids={},t.lastSize=null,t.loadCaptureCalled=!1,t.params=this.params||{},t.metrics=this.metrics||{},e.addEventListener("load",(function(r){_(t,e)}),(0,O.m$)(!1)),c.IF||e.addEventListener("progress",(function(e){t.lastSize=e.loaded}),(0,O.m$)(!1))}function s(e){this.params={method:e[0]},T(this,e[1]),this.metrics={}}function u(e,n){var i=(0,t.DL)(r);i.xpid&&this.sameOrigin&&n.setRequestHeader("X-NewRelic-ID",i.xpid);var a=o.generateTracePayload(this.parsedOrigin);if(a){var s=!1;a.newrelicHeader&&(n.setRequestHeader("newrelic",a.newrelicHeader),s=!0),a.traceContextParentHeader&&(n.setRequestHeader("traceparent",a.traceContextParentHeader),a.traceContextStateHeader&&n.setRequestHeader("tracestate",a.traceContextStateHeader),s=!0),s&&(this.dt=a)}}function d(e,t){var r=this.metrics,i=e[0],o=this;if(r&&i){var a=V(i);a&&(r.txSize=a)}this.startTime=(0,p.z)(),this.listener=function(e){try{"abort"!==e.type||o.loadCaptureCalled||(o.params.aborted=!0),("load"!==e.type||o.called===o.totalCbs&&(o.onloadCalled||"function"!=typeof t.onload)&&"function"==typeof o.end)&&o.end(t)}catch(e){try{n.emit("internal-error",[e])}catch(e){}}};for(var s=0;s 1?e[1]=i:e.push(i)}else e[0]&&e[0].headers&&s(e[0].headers,n)&&(this.dt=n);function s(e,t){var r=!1;return t.newrelicHeader&&(e.set("newrelic",t.newrelicHeader),r=!0),t.traceContextParentHeader&&(e.set("traceparent",t.traceContextParentHeader),t.traceContextStateHeader&&e.set("tracestate",t.traceContextStateHeader),r=!0),r}}function x(e,t){this.params={},this.metrics={},this.startTime=(0,p.z)(),this.dt=t,e.length>=1&&(this.target=e[0]),e.length>=2&&(this.opts=e[1]);var r,n=this.opts||{},i=this.target;"string"==typeof i?r=i:"object"==typeof i&&i instanceof Y?r=i.url:c._A?.URL&&"object"==typeof i&&i instanceof URL&&(r=i.href),T(this,r);var o=(""+(i&&i instanceof Y&&i.method||n.method||"GET")).toUpperCase();this.params.method=o,this.txSize=V(n.body)||0}function A(t,r){var n;this.endTime=(0,p.z)(),this.params||(this.params={}),this.params.status=r?r.status:0,"string"==typeof this.rxSize&&this.rxSize.length>0&&(n=+this.rxSize);var o={txSize:this.txSize,rxSize:n,duration:(0,p.z)()-this.startTime};i("xhr",[this.params,o,this.startTime,this.endTime,"fetch"],this,e.D.ajax)}function E(t){var r=this.params,n=this.metrics;if(!this.ended){this.ended=!0;for(var o=0;o 2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2];super(e,t,we.t,r),this.importAggregator()}}new class{constructor(e){let t=arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1]?arguments[1]:(0,_.ky)(16);c._A?(this.agentIdentifier=t,this.sharedAggregator=new y({agentIdentifier:this.agentIdentifier}),this.features={},this.desiredFeatures=new Set(e.features||[]),this.desiredFeatures.add(m),Object.assign(this,(0,a.j)(this.agentIdentifier,e,e.loaderType||"agent")),this.start()):(0,l.Z)("Failed to initial the agent. Could not determine the runtime environment.")}get config(){return{info:(0,t.C5)(this.agentIdentifier),init:(0,t.P_)(this.agentIdentifier),loader_config:(0,t.DL)(this.agentIdentifier),runtime:(0,t.OP)(this.agentIdentifier)}}start(){const t="features";try{const r=n(this.agentIdentifier),i=[...this.desiredFeatures];i.sort(((t,r)=>e.p[t.featureName]-e.p[r.featureName])),i.forEach((t=>{if(r[t.featureName]||t.featureName===e.D.pageViewEvent){const n=function(t){switch(t){case e.D.ajax:return[e.D.jserrors];case e.D.sessionTrace:return[e.D.ajax,e.D.pageViewEvent];case e.D.sessionReplay:return[e.D.sessionTrace];case e.D.pageViewTiming:return[e.D.pageViewEvent];default:return[]}}(t.featureName);n.every((e=>r[e]))||(0,l.Z)("".concat(t.featureName," is enabled but one or more dependent features has been disabled (").concat((0,D.P)(n),"). This may cause unintended consequences or missing data...")),this.features[t.featureName]=new t(this.agentIdentifier,this.sharedAggregator)}})),(0,T.Qy)(this.agentIdentifier,this.features,t)}catch(e){(0,l.Z)("Failed to initialize all enabled instrument classes (agent aborted) -",e);for(const e in this.features)this.features[e].abortHandler?.();const r=(0,T.fP)();return delete r.initializedAgents[this.agentIdentifier]?.api,delete r.initializedAgents[this.agentIdentifier]?.[t],delete this.sharedAggregator,r.ee?.abort(),delete r.ee?.get(this.agentIdentifier),!1}}}({features:[J,m,S,class extends h{static featureName=oe;constructor(t,r){if(super(t,r,oe,!(arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2]),!c.il)return;const n=this.ee;let i;(0,k.QU)(n),this.eventsEE=(0,k.em)(n),this.eventsEE.on(se,(function(e,t){this.bstStart=(0,p.z)()})),this.eventsEE.on(ae,(function(t,r){(0,s.p)("bst",[t[0],r,this.bstStart,(0,p.z)()],void 0,e.D.sessionTrace,n)})),n.on(ce+ne,(function(e){this.time=(0,p.z)(),this.startPath=location.pathname+location.hash})),n.on(ce+ie,(function(t){(0,s.p)("bstHist",[location.pathname+location.hash,this.startPath,this.time],void 0,e.D.sessionTrace,n)}));try{i=new PerformanceObserver((t=>{const r=t.getEntries();(0,s.p)(te,[r],void 0,e.D.sessionTrace,n)})),i.observe({type:re,buffered:!0})}catch(e){}this.importAggregator({resourceObserver:i})}},C,xe,B,class extends h{static featureName=de;constructor(e,r){if(super(e,r,de,!(arguments.length>2&&void 0!==arguments[2])||arguments[2]),!c.il)return;if(!(0,t.OP)(e).xhrWrappable)return;try{this.removeOnAbort=new AbortController}catch(e){}let n,i=0;const o=this.ee.get("tracer"),a=(0,k._L)(this.ee),s=(0,k.Lg)(this.ee),u=(0,k.BV)(this.ee),d=(0,k.Kf)(this.ee),f=this.ee.get("events"),l=(0,k.u5)(this.ee),h=(0,k.QU)(this.ee),g=(0,k.Gm)(this.ee);function m(e,t){h.emit("newURL",[""+window.location,t])}function v(){i++,n=window.location.hash,this[ve]=(0,p.z)()}function b(){i--,window.location.hash!==n&&m(0,!0);var e=(0,p.z)();this[pe]=~~this[pe]+e-this[ve],this[ye]=e}function y(e,t){e.on(t,(function(){this[t]=(0,p.z)()}))}this.ee.on(ve,v),s.on(be,v),a.on(be,v),this.ee.on(ye,b),s.on(ge,b),a.on(ge,b),this.ee.buffer([ve,ye,"xhr-resolved"],this.featureName),f.buffer([ve],this.featureName),u.buffer(["setTimeout"+le,"clearTimeout"+fe,ve],this.featureName),d.buffer([ve,"new-xhr","send-xhr"+fe],this.featureName),l.buffer([me+fe,me+"-done",me+he+fe,me+he+le],this.featureName),h.buffer(["newURL"],this.featureName),g.buffer([ve],this.featureName),s.buffer(["propagate",be,ge,"executor-err","resolve"+fe],this.featureName),o.buffer([ve,"no-"+ve],this.featureName),a.buffer(["new-jsonp","cb-start","jsonp-error","jsonp-end"],this.featureName),y(l,me+fe),y(l,me+"-done"),y(a,"new-jsonp"),y(a,"jsonp-end"),y(a,"cb-start"),h.on("pushState-end",m),h.on("replaceState-end",m),window.addEventListener("hashchange",m,(0,O.m$)(!0,this.removeOnAbort?.signal)),window.addEventListener("load",m,(0,O.m$)(!0,this.removeOnAbort?.signal)),window.addEventListener("popstate",(function(){m(0,i>1)}),(0,O.m$)(!0,this.removeOnAbort?.signal)),this.abortHandler=this.#e,this.importAggregator()}#e(){this.removeOnAbort?.abort(),this.abortHandler=void 0}}],loaderType:"spa"})})(),window.NRBA=o})(); window.jQuery || document.write(' ') CKEDITOR_BASEPATH='https://f1000research.com/js/vendor/ckeditor/' window.reactTheme = 'research'; window.MathJax = { CommonHTML: { linebreaks: { automatic: true } }, 'HTML-CSS': { linebreaks: { automatic: true } }, SVG: { linebreaks: { automatic: true } }, AuthorInit: function() { MathJax.Hub.Register.MessageHook('End Process', function () { let timeout = false; // holder for timeout id const delay = 250; // delay after event is "complete" to run callback const reflowMath = function() { const dispFormulas = document.querySelectorAll('.disp-formula.panel'); if (!dispFormulas) { return; } for (const dispFormula of dispFormulas) { const child = dispFormula.querySelector('.MathJax_Preview').nextSibling.firstChild; const isMultiline = MathJax.Hub.getAllJax(dispFormula)[0].root.isMultiline; if (dispFormula.offsetWidth < child.offsetWidth || isMultiline) { MathJax.Hub.Queue(['Rerender', MathJax.Hub, dispFormula]); } } }; window.addEventListener('resize', function() { clearTimeout(timeout); // clear the timeout timeout = setTimeout(reflowMath, delay); // start timing for event "completion" }); }); }, }; if (window.location.hash == '#_=_'){ window.location = window.location.href.split('#')[0] } !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function() {n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)} ;if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '1641728616063202'); fbq('track', "PixelInitialized", {}); (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){ h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)}; h._hjSettings={hjid:2318163,hjsv:6}; a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv; a.appendChild(r); })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); search file_upload Submit your research search menu close search Browse Gateways & Collections How to Publish Submit your Research My Submissions Article Guidelines Article Guidelines (New Versions) Open Data, Software and Code Guidelines Open Data and Accessible Source Materials Guidelines (HSS) Open Data, Software and Code Guidelines (PSE) Prepublication Checks Production Process Posters and Slides Guidelines Document Guidelines Article Processing Charges Peer Review Finding Article Reviewers About How it Works For Reviewers Our Advisors Policies Glossary FAQs For Developers Newsroom Contact My Research Submissions Content and Tracking Alerts My Details Sign In file_upload Submit your research { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ScholarlyArticle", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459" }, "headline": "Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy...", "datePublished": "2025-04-24T10:59:26", "dateModified": "2026-01-24T11:48:26", "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bassant Khaled" }, { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nermine Hany" }, { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gihan Mosaad" } ], "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "F1000Research", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://f1000research.com/img/AMP/F1000Research_image.png", "height": 480, "width": 60 } }, "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://f1000research.com/img/AMP/F1000Research_image.png", "height": 1200, "width": 150 }, "description": " Background Since the building sector contributes significantly to carbon emissions, using sustainable materials is more crucial than ever. Mycelium is investigated in this study as a natural substitute for conventional insulation materials like rock wool and XPS. Its thermal performance has been evaluated in a residential building in New Cairo, Egypt, using Design-Builder simulations, paying particular attention to U-values, discomfort hours, PPD-PMV, and energy consumption. The results demonstrate that mycelium is environmentally safe, biodegradable, and provides insulation that is comparable to XPS. This demonstrates its promise as a sustainable option for building in the future. Methods This research uses Design-Builder software version 7.3.0.046 integrated with Energy-Plus to simulate the thermal conductivity of mycelium compared to two of the most frequently utilized traditional materials for insulation in Egypt, in Janna Compound, New Cairo. The analysis examines energy consumption, thermal comfort, Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfaction (PPD%). The study provides a comparative evaluation of mycelium insulation compared to traditional materials like XPS and Rockwool. Results According to the simulation results, mycelium insulation performs comparably to XPS regarding U-values, discomfort hours, PPD-PMV, and energy consumption. Specifically, mycelium achieved a 0.323 U-value, reduced discomfort hours percentage to 16.9%, and achieved a ratio of energy reduction of 15.8% compared to the base case. These results demonstrate how mycelium has the potential to compete with traditional insulation materials while offering significant sustainability advantages, such as biodegradability and a lower carbon footprint. Conclusion In Janna Compound, New Cairo, the research shows how mycelium insulation can improve thermal comfort and save energy usage. It performs similarly to XPS but has more positive environmental effects. These results support the integration of mycelium into Egypt’s sustainable housing practices, providing key insights for architects, developers, and policymakers focused on energy-efficient and sustainable urban development. " } { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "1", "item": { "@id": "https://f1000research.com/", "name": "Home" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "2", "item": { "@id": "https://f1000research.com/browse/articles", "name": "Browse" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "3", "item": { "@id": "https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459", "name": "Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study..." } } ] } Home Browse Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study... ALL Metrics - Views Downloads Get PDF Get XML Cite How to cite this article Khaled B, Hany N and Mosaad G. Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.162989.2 ) NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. Close Copy Citation Details Export Export Citation Sciwheel EndNote Ref. Manager Bibtex ProCite Sente EXPORT Select a format first Track Share ▬ ✚ Case Study Revised Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] Bassant Khaled https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2689-2412 1 , Nermine Hany 1 , Gihan Mosaad 1 Bassant Khaled https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2689-2412 1 , Nermine Hany 1 , Gihan Mosaad 1 PUBLISHED 24 Jan 2026 Author details Author details 1 Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt Bassant Khaled Roles: Resources, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation Nermine Hany Roles: Supervision, Writing – Review & Editing Gihan Mosaad Roles: Supervision OPEN PEER REVIEW DETAILS REVIEWER STATUS This article is included in the Energy gateway. Abstract Background Since the building sector contributes significantly to carbon emissions, using sustainable materials is more crucial than ever. Mycelium is investigated in this study as a natural substitute for conventional insulation materials like rock wool and XPS. Its thermal performance has been evaluated in a residential building in New Cairo, Egypt, using Design-Builder simulations, paying particular attention to U-values, discomfort hours, PPD-PMV, and energy consumption. The results demonstrate that mycelium is environmentally safe, biodegradable, and provides insulation that is comparable to XPS. This demonstrates its promise as a sustainable option for building in the future. Methods This research uses Design-Builder software version 7.3.0.046 integrated with Energy-Plus to simulate the thermal conductivity of mycelium compared to two of the most frequently utilized traditional materials for insulation in Egypt, in Janna Compound, New Cairo. The analysis examines energy consumption, thermal comfort, Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfaction (PPD%). The study provides a comparative evaluation of mycelium insulation compared to traditional materials like XPS and Rockwool. Results According to the simulation results, mycelium insulation performs comparably to XPS regarding U-values, discomfort hours, PPD-PMV, and energy consumption. Specifically, mycelium achieved a 0.323 U-value, reduced discomfort hours percentage to 16.9%, and achieved a ratio of energy reduction of 15.8% compared to the base case. These results demonstrate how mycelium has the potential to compete with traditional insulation materials while offering significant sustainability advantages, such as biodegradability and a lower carbon footprint. Conclusion In Janna Compound, New Cairo, the research shows how mycelium insulation can improve thermal comfort and save energy usage. It performs similarly to XPS but has more positive environmental effects. These results support the integration of mycelium into Egypt’s sustainable housing practices, providing key insights for architects, developers, and policymakers focused on energy-efficient and sustainable urban development. READ ALL READ LESS Keywords Mycelium Insulation, sustainable building material, energy efficiency, thermal comfort Corresponding Author(s) Bassant Khaled ( [email protected] ) Close Corresponding author: Bassant Khaled Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Grant information: The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work. Copyright: © 2026 Khaled B et al . This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. How to cite: Khaled B, Hany N and Mosaad G. Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.162989.2 ) First published: 24 Apr 2025, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.162989.1 ) Latest published: 24 Jan 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.162989.2 ) Revised Amendments from Version 1 This revised version includes clarifications and additional references to strengthen the discussion of mycelium-based materials, particularly regarding sustainability, thermal performance, and material applications. A new comparative table was added to present key differences between mycelium and XPS. Several statements throughout the manuscript were refined for coherence, and new citations were incorporated to support claims related to material properties, and insulation performance. References were updated and reformatted for consistency. All revisions are marked using Track Changes. This revised version includes clarifications and additional references to strengthen the discussion of mycelium-based materials, particularly regarding sustainability, thermal performance, and material applications. A new comparative table was added to present key differences between mycelium and XPS. Several statements throughout the manuscript were refined for coherence, and new citations were incorporated to support claims related to material properties, and insulation performance. References were updated and reformatted for consistency. All revisions are marked using Track Changes. See the authors' detailed response to the review by Jia Heng Teoh See the authors' detailed response to the review by Olga Beatrice Carcassi READ REVIEWER RESPONSES Introduction The main concern nowadays worldwide is the problem of energy consumption in building sectors, which approximately reaches 40% of the total energy used. 1 In Egypt over 50% of energy consumption is for residential buildings. 2 As energy demand continues to rise, finding sustainable solutions to lower energy consumption in buildings has become critical. 2 As energy demand continues to rise, finding sustainable solutions to reduce energy consumption and associated carbon emissions has become critical. Improving the thermal performance of the building envelope, particularly external walls which contribute 25–30% of total heat gains, is one of the most effective strategies for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing cooling loads. 3 Research problem Worldwide, the construction sector stands as a major energy user, responsible for consuming more than 40% of the total energy supply, with an average annual increase of 1.5% from 2012 to 2040. 1 In Egypt, due to the rapid growth and higher living standards, residential buildings consume over half of the country’s electricity 2 as shown in Figure 1 . Figure 1. Egypt energy consumption graph. Each year in the housing sector, energy use increased by 7%, and without finding a solution, the consumption could be more than double by 2030, increasing from 60 to 135 million tons of oil equivalent (MTOE). 2 This problem not only strains energy resources but also increases the environmental challenges, making energy efficiency a critical priority. One of the main approaches to reducing energy consumption in the building sector and to meet with Egypt’s Vision 2030, is through the improvement of insulation materials. Studies show that enhancing insulation in walls, roofs, and windows could decrease CO 2 emissions by 2190 kilotons per year and save up to 842MW of peak energy demand. 1 Alongside decreasing energy consumption, this approach safeguards the planet while promoting healthier and more sustainable living conditions for people. At the same time, Egypt generates an estimated 30–35 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, much of which is burned or discarded. 4 This highlights the potential of bio-based alternatives, such as mycelium composites, which can valorize local agricultural residues while reducing environmental impact. This research explores mycelium as a sustainable and circular insulation material. It first examines its properties and potential as an alternative to conventional insulation. Then, it compares mycelium to commonly used materials in Egypt, such as XPS and Rockwool. Finally, a simulation on Janna Compound analyses four scenarios, evaluating energy consumption, discomfort hours, PMV, and PPD to assess mycelium’s feasibility in building insulation. Research aim The purpose of this research is to increase academics’ and designers’ awareness of the benefits and potential of mycelium insulation. It investigates how well mycelium insulation performs in comparison to two commonly used insulation materials and proposes it to be a sustainable alternative for the construction sector in Egypt. Methods The research focuses on examining the performance of mycelium insulation, utilizing a residential building prototype in a typical floor of a type A building within Janna Compound as the case study, located in New Cairo, Egypt. A literature review and a base case study are the two primary elements of the research. Literature review The literature review will address several important subjects, including the definition of mycelium, and explore its sustainability and circularity as a material. It will also illustrate its thermal conductivity properties, which are essential for evaluating its thermal performance as an insulation material. Following this, the review will provide an overview of two traditional insulation materials that are commonly used in Egypt, XPS, and Rockwool. Base case study The research’s second section examines a case study of a typical floor in a Type A building within Janna Compound, New Cairo. This simulates how insulating materials affect thermal comfort and energy usage, including Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfaction (PPD%), and thermal comfort hours. The primary aim is to assess how well mycelium insulation performs in comparison to commonly used materials like XPS and Rockwool, to evaluate its usefulness. The scenarios evaluated are: • Baseline model: Wall without insulation. • Scenario 1: Wall insulated with mycelium. • Scenario 2: Wall insulated with XPS. • Scenario 3: Wall insulated with Rockwool. The investigation’s methodology evaluates mycelium’s efficacy in comparison to two commonly used materials to improve residential buildings’ thermal comfort in Egypt. Design-Builder version 7.3.0.046 & Energy-Plus plugin software were used for this simulation, which will evaluate discomfort hours, PMV-PPD, and energy consumption for a typical floor in a Type A building in Janna Compound, emphasizing how these materials and techniques affect the thermal condition. Literature review Mycelium is the vegetative structure of fungi, consisting of a dense, root-like network of fine filaments called hyphae. These hyphae typically range from 1 to 30 micrometres in diameter and spread through the substrate, binding organic matter together. 5 This underground network supports the growth of the visible fruiting body (mushroom) as shown in Figure 2 . Figure 2. The fungi split into underground mycelium and a fruiting body, created using AI tools and modified in Photoshop. In recent years, mycelium has gained a lot of attention from academic and industrial sectors because, during growth, it requires a minimal amount of energy, lacks by-product generation, and has multiple potential uses. 6 Indoor air quality was enhanced by using mycelium, due to its natural air-purifying properties, especially in filtering particulate matter (PM). Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness due to its breathable structure, which helps capture and remove airborne such as PM2.5 and PM10. Leading to improving air purity. 7 Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of mycelium-based composites in building applications, particularly regarding thermal conductivity, biodegradability, and low embodied energy. 8 , 9 Additionally, mycelium has the capability to capture and store carbon during growth. 10 Mycelium-based materials have a variety of applications across various industries, they can be utilized as acoustic panels, tiles, bricks, and furniture due to their lightweight and permeable structure, as well as their thermal, fire, and water resistance, acoustic absorption capabilities, and aesthetic appeal. 11 Sustainability and circularity of mycelium material The environmentally friendly characteristics of mycelium-based materials and their potential role in shaping the future of sustainable construction. Six principal factors support construction 12 as shown in Figure 3 . Figure 3. The sustainable life cycle of materials sourced from mycelium. -Cost-effectiveness and abundant raw materials -Biodegradability -Rapid manufacturing process -Flexibility -Minimal Energy consumption -Cardle-to-cradle life cycle In Egypt, mycelium production remains limited but is gradually expanding, mainly in the Cairo–Giza region and parts of the Nile Delta. Commonly cultivated species such as oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), button (Agaricus bisporus), and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) can also be used for composite production. 13 Local initiatives demonstrate this potential: Cupmena ( https://cupmena.com/ ) repurposes spent coffee grounds for mushroom cultivation and bio-fertilizer, 14 , 15 while Mycelium Egypt ( https://mycellium.co/ ) is developing biomaterials from agricultural residues for construction and packaging. 16 These efforts show that mycelium-based materials can be produced locally using abundant agricultural waste resources, reducing reliance on imports and supporting circular economy goals. Thermal and physical properties of mycelium insulation material Heat transfer, heat storage capacity, material density, and thermal diffusivity are among the thermal and physical attributes of insulation materials used in the construction sector. These features define a material’s efficiency in terms of heat absorption, transport, and retention. When combined, these characteristics help a structure use less energy and maintain a pleasant interior temperature, which lowers the need for artificial heating or cooling. 17 When combining mycelium with agricultural residences, it stands out as a promising alternative to foam insulation materials. This enables the formation of porous composites, such as foams, to be formed. Due to their higher moisture content, the samples show a higher Heat transfer rate. 18 Thermal conductivity refers to how efficiently a material transfers heat; lower values indicate better insulation performance. Research on Mycelium-based composites suggests that their thermal conductivity ranges between 0.029-0.104 W/mK, making them a good option for insulation. 19 Table 1 shows the characteristics of the mycelium insulation panel made by BIOHM ® ( https://www.biohm.co.uk/ ), which is used in the simulation, the panel dimension is 1.2×2.4m, with a thickness of 0.075m. 20 Table 1. Performance characteristics of the Mycelium Insulation panel used in the simulation. 20 Insulation material Density (kg/m 3 ) Thermal conductivity (W/mK) Compressive strength (MPa) Thickness (mm) Mycelium 128 0.03 0.12 75 Table 2. Insulation properties of XPS and Rockwool. 24 , 25 Insulation material Density (kg/m 3 ) Thermal conductivity (W/mK) Compressive strength (MPa) Thickness (mm) XPS 28-40 0.028-0.031 0.25-0.45 70 Rockwool 40-120 0.035-1.36 0.14 50 Selection criteria of the traditional insulation materials Eight factors were taken into consideration while choosing materials from the Egyptian market: fire resistance, simplicity of application, cost, absorption, pressure force, durability, water vapor transmission, and thermal conductivity. 21 To determine how mycelium would function, the simulation compares its thermal performance with two conventional materials that are utilized in Egypt. • XPS (extruded polystyrene) is a closed-cell foam, giving it greater roughness, stiffness, and thermal resistance. Its low water vapor permeability also makes it well suited for use in humid environments. 22 • Rockwool insulation material is made by heating natural stones like dolomite, basalt, and diabase to extremely high temperatures (1400-1600°C) and transformed into fibers. These fibers are then bound together using binders like starch, oil, or resins. 23 An Egyptian company specializing in building insulation materials, Rockal Al Alamia ( https://www.rockalinsulation.com/ ), for Insulation, provided the data shown in Table 2 . Since the simulation and the materials are based in Egypt, the selection of this data source is consistent with the study’s setting and provides relevance to regional environmental conditions and construction methods. According to the company’s profile, Rockal is a leading Egyptian producer and supplier of building insulation products, including extruded polystyrene (XPS) and Rockwool, which are widely available and used in the local construction market. 26 Case study Egypt’s residential buildings heavily rely on air conditioning, increasing energy costs. 1 This research compares mycelium insulation with two commonly used materials in Egypt, such as XPS and Rockwool, on a typical floor of a Type A building in Janna Compound to assess its potential as a sustainable alternative in reducing energy consumption and enhancing thermal efficiency. Thermal comfort and bioclimatic chart analysis in New Cairo, Egypt This research examines the bioclimatic conditions in Egypt utilizing Climate Consultant v.6.0 to create a psychrometric chart based on weather data. This chart aids in identifying effective design strategies aimed at improving indoor thermal comfort, as illustrated in Figure 4 , which showcases climate-responsive design methods. Figure 4. Bioclimatic Analysis of Egypt's climate using Climate Consultant, indicating 62% comfortable hours (Red) with passive. Figure 4 reveals that only 18.5% annually falls within Egypt’s thermal comfort range. Several climate-responsive design strategies were evaluated to improve thermal comfort: • Internal heat gains could increase comfortable hours by 32.6%, particularly in winter. • 4.9% of thermal comfort was attributed to natural ventilation and cooling. • Night ventilation, when paired with high thermal mass, enhanced comfort by 7.3%. • The integration of high thermal mass and passive solar heating boosts comfort by 14.7%, resulting in 62% of the time feeling comfortable. Nevertheless, the results are based on general climate data recommendations. To identify the most effective solutions, further investigation of the building’s design parameters will be required. Overview of New Cairo, Egypt’s Climate New Cairo, which is located between latitudes 30.03°N and longitudes 31.47°E, has a mainly hot desert climate. Climatic data indicates that summer temperatures typically reach between 35–45°C in August, highlighting the need for effective cooling systems during the hot months. In contrast, winter temperatures are lower, ranging from 15–20°C, which may reduce heating requirements. 27 Case study description of Janna Compound, New Cairo The examined building model is a type A building, part of a residential project created by the Egyptian Government to accommodate the growing need for homes. It’s a six-story building, each containing four residential apartments, each around 130 square meters. Each flat typically houses at least two residents, and the simulation was conducted on a typical floor of the building 28 as shown in Figure 5 . Figure 5. Type A building plan, typical floor of Janna Compound, New Cairo, Egypt. Figure 6. Sun path Diagram of the building, Janna compound. The typical floor plan has four similar apartments, each covering 130 sqm. Each apartment includes a kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, and three bedrooms 28 as shown in Figure 5 . Design builder project file configuration for Janna Compound case study Janna Compound is a residential gated compound developed by the Egyptian Government to accommodate the growing need for homes across multiple cities across Egypt, including El-Sheikh Zayed, Al-Minya, New Cairo, and Mansura. The project consistently utilizes the same design models (Types A and B), regardless of local climate variations or material costs. 29 The Type A building in New Cairo, Egypt, was selected for simulation to compare Mycelium insulation with traditional materials, as many residential projects in the area lack appropriate insulation, making this comparison crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and thermal comfort. As shown in Figure 6 , solar exposure on the selected building provided by the sun path diagram is a key factor in thermal performance assessment. Data entry Design Builder 7.0.2.006 with an Energy Plus 9.4 plugin is the energy simulation software used in this case study. It works by modeling the building’s environmental conditions on an annual and monthly basis, including humidity, lighting, thermal balance, and energy consumption. Activity The activity of each space is specified accurately as well as the number of users, occupancy density, and metabolic rate as shown in Table 3 . Table 3. Specifications for Janna Compound activity in design builder [By the researchers]. Activity Template Domestic Circulation – Residential Spaces Number of Users 2 users minimum Occupancy Density (people/m 2 ) 0.117 people/m 2 Metabolic Rate 0.925 (Assuming 2 adults, 1 man and 1 woman) Construction Accurate simulation requires detailed building information, encompassing the materials used for external walls, slabs, and roofs. The U-value and insulation properties play a critical role in energy consumption, as they affect thermal exchange. Table 4 outlines the layers of building envelope materials utilized in the Design-Builder program. Table 4. Construction layers of the base case in design builder [By the researchers]. Construction Layers of the building envelope (Thickness, m) External wall The Outermost Layer (External Plaster) 0.005 Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.02 Brickwork Outer 0.25 Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.02 Innermost Layer (Acrylic Paint) 0.001 Internal partition Gypsum Plaster 0.0012 Brickwork inner 0.12 Gypsum Plaster 0.0012 Roof Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.02 Concrete 0.07 EPS thermal insulation layer 0.05 Reinforced concrete 2% steel 0.15 Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.02 Floor Ceramic tiles 0.02 Cement layer 0.02 Sand 0.07 Reinforced concrete 2% steel 0.15 Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.02 Openings Energy consumption is greatly affected by thermal gain and loss via windows, particularly in hot regions where solar thermal energy plays a significant role. For accurate simulation, detailed information on window glazing and shading systems is essential, as shown in Table 5 . Table 5. Selected opening materials in design builder [By the researchers]. Openings Internal Door Plywood Lightweight, 0.05m thickness, 0.9 W, 2.2 H Windows Single glazing, clear, no shading on windows, Aluminum frame HVAC HVAC was employed to calculate total energy consumption during the hot months to assess how mycelium insulation would reduce energy usage. However, for the calculation of PMV, PPD, and discomfort hours, the HVAC was turned off. The HVAC configurations utilized in the program are presented in Table 6 below. Table 6. HVAC settings designated in design builder [By the researchers]. HVAC HVAC Template Split unit + Natural Ventilation Cooling System COP 1.80 Heating System COP 0.85 Natural Ventilation Checked on Case study simulation findings The simulation was conducted from the beginning of January to the end of December, evaluating four different cases of different insulation materials, as summarized in Table 7 . However, when calculating PMV, PPD, and energy consumption, the simulation focused primarily on the hot months, from June 1 to August 31. • Base Case: Brick wall without any insulating layers. • Alternative-1: Mycelium Insulation • Alternative-2: XPS-Extruded polystyrene Insulation • Alternative-3: Rock wool Insulation Table 7. Simulation four scenarios to be tested in design builder [By the researchers]. Case Insulation type Base Case No Insulation Outermost layer: External Plaster 0.005m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Brickwork Outer 0.250m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Innermost layer: Acrylic 0.001m Alternative-1 Mycelium Outermost layer: External Plaster 0.005m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Brickwork Outer 0.120m Mycelium Insulation panel 0.075m Brickwork Inner 0.120m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Innermost layer: Acrylic 0.001m Alternative-2 XPS-Extruded polystyrene Outermost layer: External Plaster 0.005m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Brickwork Outer 0.120m XPS Insulation panel 0.070m Brickwork Inner 0.120m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Innermost layer: Acrylic 0.001m Alternative-3 Rockwool Outermost layer: External Plaster 0.005m Rockwool 0.050m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Brickwork Outer 0.250m Cement/plaster/mortar-plaster 0.020m Innermost layer: Acrylic 0.001m Energy-efficient building design focuses on managing exterior thermophysical properties, such as the U-value (thermal transmittance), which is key for assessing thermal efficiency and energy savings. Figure 7 shows that the base case without insulation has the highest U-value at 1.71 W/m 2 K, while Mycelium insulation has the lowest at 0.323 W/m 2 K. XPS and Rock Wool have U-values of 0.34 W/m 2 K and 0.61 W/m 2 K, respectively, indicating varying levels of thermal performance. Therefore, Mycelium demonstrates the best U-value compared to other traditional materials. Figure 7. Thermal transmittance (U-Value) for the Four Scenarios. The simulation, based on ASHRAE 55–2004 standards, evaluates discomfort hours due to inadequate cooling, heating, and humidity levels without HVAC systems. As shown in Figure 8 , the base case with a conventional wall recorded 1986 discomfort hours annually. Mycelium insulation reduced this to 1481.71 hours, while XPS reduced it to 1485.04 hours, and Rock Wool to 1616.88 hours. The results show that Mycelium performs similarly to XPS, indicating that it can compete with traditional materials in terms of thermal comfort. Figure 8. Discomfort hours/year for the four different scenarios. The percentage of discomfort hours per year for the four scenarios is as follows: the base case recorded 22.6% discomfort, while Mycelium showed 16.9%, XPS recorded 16.95%, and Rock Wool had 18.4% discomfort. These results demonstrate that Mycelium not only performs better than Rock Wool but also shows a similar percentage of discomfort hours to XPS, making Mycelium an equally effective choice for improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency. As shown in Figure 9 . Figure 9. Percentage of Discomfort hours/year for the four different scenarios. From June 1 to September 30, specific thermal comfort strategies are applied to enhance comfort during the summer and minimize air conditioning use. The evaluation focuses on Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Percentage of People Dissatisfied (PPD%), using a PMV scale from -3 (cool) to +3 (hot). By concentrating on the hot months, as shown in Figure 10 , this approach allows for precise adjustments to environmental systems, ensuring optimal thermal comfort and energy efficiency during peak cooling periods. Figure 10. PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) Scaling Factors. Table 8 illustrates the variations in the outcomes relative to the baseline case across all four scenarios, emphasizing the PPD% values during the warmest months. Table 8. PMV-PPD% in hot months for the four scenarios in design builder [By the researchers]. Scenarios Max Fanger PMV (Hot months) Max Fanger PPD% (Hot months) Base Case 1.46 53.26% Alternative-1 1.37 50.48% Alternative-2 1.37 50.46% Alternative-3 1.35 49.76% Table 9. Comparison between all scenarios results [By the researchers]. Comparison between the four scenarios Scenario Base case Mycelium XPS Rock wool U-Value 1.71 0.323 0.34 0.61 % of Discomfort hours/year 22.6% 16.9 16.9 18.4 % of Energy reduction - 15.8 15.7 13.3 PMV 1.46 1.37 1.37 1.35 As shown in Table 9 , the comparison of the four scenarios in the case study offers key insights for improving thermal comfort. In the base case, without insulation, the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) is 1.46, with a Percentage of People Dissatisfied (PPD) of 53.26%. Adding Mycelium insulation in Alternative-1 improves the PMV to 1.37 and reduces the PPD to 50.48%. Alternative-2, which uses XPS insulation, shows similar results, with a PMV of 1.37 and a PPD of 50.46%. Alternative-3, featuring Rock Wool insulation, slightly improves comfort further, achieving a PMV of 1.35 and a PPD of 49.76%. As shown in Figures 11 and 12 . Figure 11. PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) for the Four Simulation Scenarios in Design Builder. Figure 12. PPD% (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfaction) for the Four Simulation Scenarios in Design Builder. Mycelium, with its impressive performance values, not only matches traditional insulation materials in terms of thermal efficiency but also provides added advantages. As a sustainable and biodegradable material, Mycelium is an eco-friendly choice, making it a highly suitable option for thermal insulation. The simulation of annual energy consumption reveals that electricity usage varies throughout the year, with a notable increase during the summer months. In contrast, consumption is relatively low during the cooler months, as heating and cooling needs are reduced. However, from May to August, energy consumption peaks due to the heightened cooling demands driven by intense solar radiation. As shown in Figure 13 , this simulation underscores the significant effect of seasonal changes on overall energy performance. Figure 13. Energy consumption for the baseline case from design builder. Regarding energy consumption, it is observed that the base case wall material led to higher energy usage during the warmer months. Particularly from May to August, due to increased solar radiation. The simulation findings indicate that the total electricity consumption for the base case during these hot months was 10,203.75 kWh. In comparison, XPS insulation resulted in 8,601.1 kWh, Mycelium insulation consumed 8,587.42 kWh, and Rock Wool insulation had a consumption of 8,838.77 kWh. As shown in Figure 14 . Figure 14. Energy consumption for the 4 scenarios in hot months in design builder. The energy consumption reductions are 15.7% for XPS, 15.8% for Mycelium, and 13.3% for Rock Wool. As shown in Figure 15 . These results show that Mycelium performs similarly to XPS in terms of energy savings and makes a notable contribution to improving energy efficiency. According to these results, CO 2 emission was also reduced, Mycelium reduced 979.5 kg of CO 2 , while XPS reduced 971.2 kg and Rock wool reduced 827.18 kg of CO 2 . Figure 15. Percentage of energy reduction for the 4 scenarios in hot months in design builder. To calculate the percentage of energy reduction, the energy consumption of the base case scenario (without intervention) is compared to the improved scenario (with intervention). The formula used is: Percentage of Energy Reduction = ( Base case Energy Consumption − Improved Energy Consumption Base case Energy Consumption ) × 100 Conclusions and recommendations The simulation was performed on a typical floor of a Type A building in New Cairo’s Janna compound. Each floor had four apartments, each approximately 130 m 2 . The research compared Mycelium insulation to traditional materials like XPS and Rock Wool in terms of their thermal performance and energy efficiency. The results showed that Mycelium insulation performed effectively, with a PPD of 50.8% and a PMV of 1.37. This result was much better than the base case and equivalent to XPS (PPD = 50.46%, PMV = 1.37). In terms of U-value, Mycelium demonstrated the best performance with a U-value of 0.323 W/m 2 K, compared to XPS at 0.34 W/m 2 K and Rock Wool at 0.61 W/m 2 K. Regarding energy consumption, Mycelium reduced energy usage by 15.8%, which was better than Rock wool (13.3%), and comparable to XPS (15.7%). These results highlight Mycelium as a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to traditional insulation materials. In conclusion, Mycelium and XPS have nearly the same values. However, XPS (Extruded polystyrene) is well-known and widely used because of its affordability, availability, and strong thermal performance. Despite this, XPS has several disadvantages: it requires high energy input during manufacturing, releases toxic gases during production, produces dense smoke and hazardous emissions when exposed to fire, and is unstable under UV radiation. 30 In Contrast, Mycelium Insulation offers a sustainable and circular alternative with several key advantages: 12 • Cost-effectiveness: Mycelium grows using agricultural waste, making it an inexpensive and available resource • Biodegradability: Mycelium naturally decomposes at the end of its life cycle • Rapid manufacture: it can be cultivated in a few weeks • Flexibility: it can be molded into different shapes and densities • Minimal Energy Consumption: Growing mycelium required less energy compared to other materials • Cradle-to-cradle life cycle: Mycelium fits with the circularity idea, it can be composed and reintegrated into the natural ecosystem with no harm to the environment To provide a clearer comparison between mycelium and XPS, Table 10 summarises key performance and sustainability indicators based on published literature. Table 10. Comparison between Mycelium Insulation and XPS [By the researchers]. Insulation material Mycelium XPS References Thermal conductivity 0.03(W/mK) 0.028-0.031(W/mK) [ 20 ][ 25 ] Energy Growing at room temperature using biological processes Energy-intensive manufacturing [ 31 ][ 32 ] Emission Very low carbon emission (-244 g CO 2 eq/m 3 ) High carbon emissions (271.8 kg CO 2 eq/m 3 ) [ 33 ] Env. Impact Low environmental footprint, grown from agricultural waste using minimal energy High environmental impact, made from fossil fuels (petrochemicals) [ 18 ][ 34 ] Biodegradability Fully biodegradable and compostable Remain in landfills for hundreds of years [ 18 ][ 35 ] Fire Safety Naturally fire-resistant, Chars but does not release toxic fumes Highly flammable unless treated release toxic smoke when burned [ 36 ][ 37 ] Given the positive results of this research, it is essential to further explore how Mycelium can be integrated into the construction industry and its potential for large-scale implementation. The following recommendations aim to guide future efforts in adopting Mycelium as a mainstream insulation material. • Further Research: To examine the longevity and economic feasibility of mycelium in various climate conditions and building types. • Adoption by the Construction sector: Encourage the use of Mycelium in construction, especially in regions where traditional materials contribute to environmental pollution. • Regulatory Support: Advocate for policies that promote the use of sustainable, non-toxic insulation materials like Mycelium, which can significantly contribute to energy-efficient buildings and the reduction of carbon footprints. Ethics and consent Ethical approval and consent were not required. Data availability Underlying data Zenodo: Evaluating Mycelium as an Insulation Material: A Comparative Study on Thermal Performance, Comfort, and Energy Efficiency. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15020538 38 This project contains the following underlying data 1. Egypt Energy Consumption Graph (Illustrates the percentage distribution of energy consumption across various sectors) 2. The Fungi Structure (Illustrates the structure of the mushroom, underground mycelium, and the fruit body created using AI tools and modified in photoshop) 3. The sustainable life cycle of materials sourced from mycelium (shows the sustainable life cycle of mycelium products) 4. Bioclimatic Analysis of Egypt’s climate Using Climate Consultant (shows climatic data such as temperature patterns, humidity levels, and solar radiation across Egypt.) 5. Type A Building Plan, Typical Floor of Janna Compound, New Cairo, Egypt (Case study typical floor plan, designed in design builder) 6. Sun path Diagram of the building, Janna compound (Sun path diagram in Janna compound) 7. Thermal transmittance (U-Value) for the Four Scenarios 8. Discomfort hours/year for the four different scenarios 9. Percentage of Discomfort hours/year for the four different scenarios 10. PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) Scaling Factors 11. PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) for the Four Simulation Scenarios in Design Builder 12. PPD% (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfaction) for the Four Simulation Scenarios in Design Builder 13. Energy Consumption for the Baseline Case from Design Builder 14. Energy Consumption for the 4 Scenarios in Hot Months in Design Builder 15. Percentage of Energy Reduction for the 4 Scenarios in Hot Months in Design Builder 16. Excel file for Cairo Weather Data (The same weather file was used in the design builder for simulation data) 17. Janna Compound, New Cairo (Two design builder files include the 3D model and the simulation one with HVAC and one without) Data are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC-BY 4.0). Software availability statement Design-Builder v7.3.0.046 ( https://designbuilder.co.uk/ ) was used for energy simulation modeling. This is proprietary software, however, an open-access alternative such as OpenStudio can achieve similar outcomes. EnergyPlus ( https://energyplus.net/ ) is an open-access tool used in this research. References 1. Nafeaa S, Mohamed A, Fatouha M: Assessment of energy saving in residential buildings using energy efficiency measures under Cairo climatic conditions. Engineering Research Journal. 2020; 166 : 320–349. Publisher Full Text 2. Hegazy I: Toward efficient energy consumption in middle-income housing buildings in Egypt. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies. 2020; 15 : 180–189. Publisher Full Text 3. Abanda FH, Byers L: An investigation of the impact of building orientation on energy consumption in a domestic building using emerging BIM (Building Information Modelling). Energy. 2016; 97 : 517–527. Publisher Full Text 4. FAO: The State of Food and Agriculture 2019: Moving forward on food loss and waste reduction. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; 2019. Reference Source 5. Islam M, Tudryn G, Schadler L, et al. : Morphology and mechanics of fungal mycelium. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7 : 13070. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | Free Full Text 6. Jones M, Huyuh T, Dekiwadia C, et al. : Mycelium composites: A review of engineering characteristics and growth kinetics. Journal of Bionanoscience. 2017; 11 (4): 241–257. Publisher Full Text 7. Lee T, Choi J: Mycelium-composite panels for atmospheric particulate matter adsorption. Results in Materials Journal. 2021; 11 : 100208. Publisher Full Text 8. Maahsen L: A biological comeback in architecture: The relationship between inhabitants and grown domestic environments with living mycelium as a building material [master’s thesis].Haute école d’art et de design Genève.2023. (Accessed: 11 December 2025). Reference Source 9. Van de Leur FN: Additive manufacturing with mycelium-based materials for product design: Toward new design territories. Master’s Thesis. Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering: Delft University of Technology; 2017. 10. Xia Q: Utilizing mycelium-based materials for sustainable construction. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Materials Chemistry and Environmental Engineering. 2024; 63 : 10–15. Publisher Full Text 11. Manan S, Ullah MW, UI-Islam M, et al. : Synthesis and applications of fungal mycelium-based advanced functional materials. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts. 2021; 6 (1): 1–10. Publisher Full Text 12. Rashdan W, Ashour A: Mycelium-based materials: an alternative for sustainable interior design. Journal of New Design Ideas. 2023; 7 (1): 44–61. Reference Source 13. Abdel-Aal ES, El-Sayed RA, El-Mahdy AR: Production and marketing of edible mushrooms in Egypt: Current status and future prospects. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research. 2019; 97 (2): 491–503. Publisher Full Text 14. SceneEats: Cupmena: Brewing mushrooms & sustainability from Cairo’s coffee waste. SceneEats Egypt. 2023. (Accessed: 24 September 2025). Reference Source 15. Cupmena: About us. n.d. (Accessed: 24 September 2025). Reference Source 16. Mycelium Egypt: Material: Mycelium. n.d. (Accessed: 10 December 2025). Reference Source 17. Petcu C, Hegyi A, Stoian V, et al. : Research on Thermal Insulation Performance and Impact on Indoor Air Quality of Cellulose-Based Thermal Insulation Materials. Materials. 2023; 16 (15): 5458. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | Free Full Text 18. Sertkaya SN: Assessment of mycelium composite building elements produced via Biodesign. Master’s Thesis. Turkey: Dokuz Eylul University; 2022. Reference Source 19. Aiduang W, Chanthaluck A, Kumla J, et al. : Amazing Fungi for Eco-Friendly Composite Materials: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Fungi. 2022; 8 (8): 842. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | Free Full Text 20. Gregorio DK: Mycelium insulation – turning waste into a resource. Bambou Immobilier - Bambou Immobilier; 2022, December 21. Reference Source 21. Mahlia T, Iqbal A: Cost benefits analysis and emission reductions of optimum thickness and air gaps for selected insulation materials for building walls in Maldives. Energy. 2010; 35 (5): 2242–2250. Publisher Full Text 22. Pescari S, Merea M, Pitroacă A: A particular case of urban sustainability: Comparison study of the efficiency of multiple thermal insulations for buildings. Sustainability. 2022; 14 (23): 16283. Publisher Full Text 23. Yang SJ, Zhang LW: Research on Properties of Rock-Mineral Wool as Thermal Insulation Material for Construction. Advanced Materials Research. 2012; 450-451 : 618–622. Publisher Full Text 24. Rockal Al Alamia for Insulation: Rockal Rockwool Insulation Products. [Brochure].n.d. Reference Source 25. Rockal Al Alamia for Insulation: XPS Foam. [Brochure].n.d. Reference Source 26. Rockal Al Alamia for Insulation: About Rockal.n.d. (Accessed: 11 December 2025). Reference Source 27. Cairo, Egypt climate: Cairo, EG Climate Zone, Monthly Weather Averages and Historical Data.n.d. Reference Source 28. New Urban Communities Authority: Janna Compound. [Booklet].n.d. Reference Source 29. New Urban Communities Authority: Janna Compound.n.d. Reference Source 30. Serbezov H, Vladkova B, Spasov D, et al. : Assessment of toxic gas emissions from flammable building thermal insulation materials upon fire conditions. International Scientific Journal “Machines. Technologies. Materials”. 2021; 15 (2): 79–83. 31. DuPont: Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Products: Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Building Solutions; 2021. (Accessed: 03 September 2025). Reference Source 32. Livne A, Najman R, Oz Y, et al. : Increased CO 2 fixation and reduced embodied energy of mycelium materials. Construction and Building Materials. 2024; 415 : 135972. 33. Al-Qahtani S, Koç M, Isaifan RJ: Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation for Domestic Cooling Footprint Reduction: A Review. Sustainability. 2023; 15 : 13217. Publisher Full Text 34. Ali AAMM: Applying the life cycle assessment approach to a case study of insulation materials in Egypt. Journal of the Arab Academy of Economics and Technology. 2024; 43 (1): 320–335. 35. Shereen MA: Investigating the polystyrene (PS) biodegradation potential. Life. 2025; 15 (6): 869. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | Free Full Text Reference Source 36. EPXPSF (European XPS Manufacturers Association): Extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation with halogen-free blowing agents. 2018. (Accessed: 1 September 2025). Reference Source 37. Jones M, Bhat T, Wang CH, Moinuddin K, John S: Thermal degradation and fire reaction properties of mycelium composites. In Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Composite Materials , China, 20–25 August 2017. 38. Zahran B: Evaluating Mycelium as an Insulation Material: A Comparative Study on Thermal Performance, Comfort, and Energy Efficiency. Zenodo. 2025. Publisher Full Text Comments on this article Comments (0) Version 2 VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 24 Apr 2025 ADD YOUR COMMENT Comment Author details Author details 1 Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt Bassant Khaled Roles: Resources, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation Nermine Hany Roles: Supervision, Writing – Review & Editing Gihan Mosaad Roles: Supervision Competing interests No competing interests were disclosed. Grant information The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work. Article Versions (2) version 2 Revised Published: 24 Jan 2026, 14:459 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.162989.2 version 1 Published: 24 Apr 2025, 14:459 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.162989.1 Copyright © 2026 Khaled B et al . This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Download Export To Sciwheel Bibtex EndNote ProCite Ref. Manager (RIS) Sente metrics Views Downloads F1000Research - - PubMed Central info_outline Data from PMC are received and updated monthly. - - Citations open_in_new 0 open_in_new 0 open_in_new SEE MORE DETAILS CITE how to cite this article Khaled B, Hany N and Mosaad G. Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.162989.2 ) NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS track receive updates on this article Track an article to receive email alerts on any updates to this article. TRACK THIS ARTICLE Share Open Peer Review Current Reviewer Status: ? Key to Reviewer Statuses VIEW HIDE Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Version 2 VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 24 Jan 2026 Revised Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Ali RH. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r471892 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2#referee-response-471892 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 16 Apr 2026 Rouwaida Hussein Ali , University of Diyala, Diayla, Iraq Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r471892 This manuscript addresses a highly relevant and timely topic in sustainable construction by investigating mycelium-based insulation as an alternative to conventional materials (XPS and Rockwool). The study contributes to the growing body of research on bio-based materials in hot climates , ... Continue reading READ ALL This manuscript addresses a highly relevant and timely topic in sustainable construction by investigating mycelium-based insulation as an alternative to conventional materials (XPS and Rockwool). The study contributes to the growing body of research on bio-based materials in hot climates , particularly within the Egyptian context. The integration of DesignBuilder + EnergyPlus simulation and the focus on thermal comfort (PMV/PPD), U-value, and energy consumption are appropriate and aligned with current research practices. However, despite its potential, the manuscript requires major revisions before it can meet indexing standards due to issues in: Methodological rigor Reproducibility Depth of analysis Strength of evidence The study exhibits several important limitations that reduce its scientific rigor and reliability. First, it relies entirely on simulation using DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus without any experimental validation, which limits confidence in the results and their real-world applicability. In addition, the methodology lacks sufficient transparency, as key simulation parameters such as HVAC setpoints, internal loads, infiltration rates, and occupancy schedules are not clearly reported, making the study difficult to reproduce. Furthermore, the comparison between insulation materials is not fully consistent, since different thicknesses were used (e.g., 75 mm for mycelium vs. 70 mm for XPS and 50 mm for Rockwool), which may bias the results in favor of certain materials . The analytical depth is also limited, as the study does not include statistical validation, sensitivity analysis, or uncertainty assessment, despite reporting very small performance differences between materials. Another key weakness is the over-reliance on literature to support environmental and sustainability claims without conducting a dedicated life cycle assessment (LCA) or cost analysis within the study itself. Finally, the literature review is relatively limited and lacks sufficient engagement with recent high-impact studies, while some sections of the manuscript (particularly the introduction and conclusions) remain descriptive and insufficiently supported by strong scientific evidence. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? Partly Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Partly If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Yes Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Partly Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: engineering I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Ali RH. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r471892 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2#referee-response-471892 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Yusoff H. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r457749 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2#referee-response-457749 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 02 Mar 2026 Hamid Yusoff , Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r457749 1. Summary of the Article This manuscript evaluates mycelium-based insulation as a sustainable alternative to conventional insulation materials (XPS and Rockwool) in residential buildings located in New Cairo, Egypt. The study uses Design-Builder integrated with Energy Plus to simulate ... Continue reading READ ALL 1. Summary of the Article This manuscript evaluates mycelium-based insulation as a sustainable alternative to conventional insulation materials (XPS and Rockwool) in residential buildings located in New Cairo, Egypt. The study uses Design-Builder integrated with Energy Plus to simulate thermal performance for a typical floor of a Type A building in Janna Compound. Four wall configurations are modeled: Base case (no insulation) Mycelium insulation XPS insulation Rockwool insulation The comparison includes: U-value (thermal transmittance) Annual discomfort hours PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) Energy consumption during hot months CO₂ emission reductions The authors conclude that mycelium performs comparably to XPS in thermal performance and energy savings while offering environmental advantages such as biodegradability and lower embodied carbon. The topic is highly relevant and contributes to the growing interest in bio-based materials for sustainable construction in hot climates. However, several methodological clarifications and evidentiary improvements are required before the conclusions can be considered fully supported. 2. Major Comments (Must Be Addressed) A. Justification of Insulation Thickness and Wall Assembly The materials are compared using different insulation thicknesses: Mycelium: 75 mm XPS: 70 mm Rockwool: 50 mm Since insulation thickness directly affects U-value and energy performance, this difference may influence the results. Required action: Either standardize thickness across all materials, or Clearly justify the selection (e.g., equivalent R-values, commercial availability, Egyptian market norms, or structural constraints). Additionally, Rockwool is placed differently in the wall assembly compared to mycelium and XPS. The reasoning for this difference must be explained and supported by construction practice references. Without this clarification, the comparison risks methodological bias. B. Insufficient Detail in Simulation Parameters The simulation settings lack sufficient transparency for full reproducibility. The manuscript does not clearly specify: Cooling and heating setpoints Internal loads (lighting, equipment gains) Infiltration rates (ACH) Detailed occupancy schedules Control strategies for natural ventilation Required action: Provide a comprehensive summary table of all simulation assumptions and parameters. This is essential for scientific rigor and reproducibility. C. Limited Statistical or Sensitivity Analysis The study reports performance differences, but: No sensitivity analysis is conducted. No uncertainty analysis is presented. The differences between mycelium and XPS are very small (e.g., 15.8% vs 15.7% energy reduction) yet are discussed as meaningful. Required action: At minimum: Clarify whether these differences are practically significant. Include a brief discussion on modeling uncertainty. Consider performing a sensitivity analysis (e.g., varying thermal conductivity values). Without this, claims of superiority or equivalence should be more cautiously framed. D. Environmental Claims Require Stronger Quantification The manuscript emphasizes sustainability advantages of mycelium (low embodied energy, carbon sequestration, biodegradability). While references are included, the study itself does not perform: A lifecycle assessment (LCA) A cost analysis A durability comparison Therefore, the argument for adoption remains partly speculative. Required action: Clearly distinguish between simulation-based findings and literature-based sustainability claims. Avoid overstating environmental benefits unless supported by quantified analysis within this study. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? Partly Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Partly If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Not applicable Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Partly Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: 1. Mycelium composite I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Yusoff H. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r457749 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2#referee-response-457749 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Version 1 VERSION 1 PUBLISHED 24 Apr 2025 Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Teoh JH. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392628 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v1#referee-response-392628 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 09 Aug 2025 Jia Heng Teoh , Nanyang Technological University (Ringgold ID: 54761), Singapore, Singapore Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392628 In the study titled, “Evaluating mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency”, Khaled, Hany and Mossad have evaluated the use of mycelium-based materials as an insulation material in Egypt through simulations using ... Continue reading READ ALL In the study titled, “Evaluating mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency”, Khaled, Hany and Mossad have evaluated the use of mycelium-based materials as an insulation material in Egypt through simulations using a commercial software. Their studies have shown that compared to two other conventional insulation materials (XPS and Rockwool), mycelium-based materials performed better than or at the very least comparable to XPS and Rockwool in metrics relating to thermal performance and energy efficiency. The following are my comments regarding the study. Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or root-like structure of the fungus. How easily accessible is mycelium in the area of the case study? What is the feasibility of fabricating mycelium-based material using locally available resources in Egypt? While mycelium-based materials are sustainable, if mycelium and the substrate need to be imported, the carbon footprint and energy consumed in transportation will negatively affect its sustainability. Regarding the mycelium-based material that is being simulated in this study, what is the fungal species and the substrate or agricultural waste being assumed in this study? Literature has shown that mycelium-based material can be made with a variety of fungal species and substrates and as such, a bit more specificity is required. Please include references to justify that XPS and Rockwool are indeed traditional insulation materials commonly used in Egypt. This is unclear to readers who are not based in Egypt. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? Partly Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Yes Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Yes Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Yes Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Advanced fabrication and characterization of mycelium-bound composites and fungal-based engineered living materials. I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Teoh JH. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392628 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v1#referee-response-392628 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Author Response 24 Jan 2026 passant khaled , Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt 24 Jan 2026 Author Response Reviewer comment 1: “Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or ... Continue reading Reviewer comment 1: “Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or root-like structure of the fungus.” Author response: Thank you for this helpful observation. The definition of mycelium in the literature review has been corrected to accurately describe mycelium as the vegetative, filamentous network (hyphae) of a fungus rather than the fruiting body. Reviewer comment 2: “How easily accessible is mycelium in the area of the case study? Author response: We appreciate this important point. A new paragraph has been added to the manuscript describing the current accessibility of mycelium in Egypt and the feasibility of local production. The text highlights emerging companies such as Cupmena and Mycelium Egypt, which cultivate mycelium using agricultural waste, demonstrating that mycelium-based materials can be produced locally without relying on imports. This addresses the sustainability concern and clarifies the material’s local availability. Reviewer comment 1: “Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or root-like structure of the fungus.” Author response: Thank you for this helpful observation. The definition of mycelium in the literature review has been corrected to accurately describe mycelium as the vegetative, filamentous network (hyphae) of a fungus rather than the fruiting body. Reviewer comment 2: “How easily accessible is mycelium in the area of the case study? Author response: We appreciate this important point. A new paragraph has been added to the manuscript describing the current accessibility of mycelium in Egypt and the feasibility of local production. The text highlights emerging companies such as Cupmena and Mycelium Egypt, which cultivate mycelium using agricultural waste, demonstrating that mycelium-based materials can be produced locally without relying on imports. This addresses the sustainability concern and clarifies the material’s local availability. Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT Author Response 24 Jan 2026 passant khaled , Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt 24 Jan 2026 Author Response Reviewer comment 1: “Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or ... Continue reading Reviewer comment 1: “Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or root-like structure of the fungus.” Author response: Thank you for this helpful observation. The definition of mycelium in the literature review has been corrected to accurately describe mycelium as the vegetative, filamentous network (hyphae) of a fungus rather than the fruiting body. Reviewer comment 2: “How easily accessible is mycelium in the area of the case study? Author response: We appreciate this important point. A new paragraph has been added to the manuscript describing the current accessibility of mycelium in Egypt and the feasibility of local production. The text highlights emerging companies such as Cupmena and Mycelium Egypt, which cultivate mycelium using agricultural waste, demonstrating that mycelium-based materials can be produced locally without relying on imports. This addresses the sustainability concern and clarifies the material’s local availability. Reviewer comment 1: “Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or root-like structure of the fungus.” Author response: Thank you for this helpful observation. The definition of mycelium in the literature review has been corrected to accurately describe mycelium as the vegetative, filamentous network (hyphae) of a fungus rather than the fruiting body. Reviewer comment 2: “How easily accessible is mycelium in the area of the case study? Author response: We appreciate this important point. A new paragraph has been added to the manuscript describing the current accessibility of mycelium in Egypt and the feasibility of local production. The text highlights emerging companies such as Cupmena and Mycelium Egypt, which cultivate mycelium using agricultural waste, demonstrating that mycelium-based materials can be produced locally without relying on imports. This addresses the sustainability concern and clarifies the material’s local availability. Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close Report a concern COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Carcassi OB. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392627 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v1#referee-response-392627 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 08 Aug 2025 Olga Beatrice Carcassi , Columbia University, New York, New York, USA Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392627 General Comments: The paper provides a timely and relevant comparison between conventional insulation materials (XPS, Rockwool) and a bio-based alternative—mycelium. The use of Egyptian housing as a case study adds valuable regional relevance and could offer meaningful insights into ... Continue reading READ ALL General Comments: The paper provides a timely and relevant comparison between conventional insulation materials (XPS, Rockwool) and a bio-based alternative—mycelium. The use of Egyptian housing as a case study adds valuable regional relevance and could offer meaningful insights into sustainable construction practices in hot climates. However, while the research addresses an important topic and offers promising insights, the current version suffers from issues related to clarity, limited referencing, insufficient justification of methodology choices, and a lack of strong data to support its conclusions. Below are detailed comments categorized for clarity. 1. Clarity, Structure, and Referencing Clarity: The paper would benefit from substantial editing for overall coherence. Key sections (especially the background and conclusion) are unclear or contain vague statements that need further development and evidence by expanding the literature review Referencing: The literature review and referencing are insufficient. Ref [1] is overused throughout the paper. It is essential to engage with a broader range of literature. Recommendation: In the Introduction and Background sections, aim for at least one reference per factual statement, ideally two. This should also apply to the Conclusion section. Include mycelium-specific references. The field has a rapidly growing body of literature, including studies on thermal conductivity, lifecycle assessment, biodegradability, and production methods. Avoid generalizations without backing data. Each claim, especially those that compare performance or environmental impact, must be supported with references. 2. Figures and Visuals Figure 1: Please add the source of the data presented in this figure. It is crucial to ensure transparency in data visualization. Figure 3: This figure needs graphical improvement. Ensure the copyright of any images used is properly cited or that permission has been obtained. If images were generated using AI, please check the journal's policy on the use of AI tools for figures. Figure 4: Improve its readability, especially for readers unfamiliar with climate-responsive design tools. Make clear if the legend relates to lines or data points. Use color-coded arrows or graphical elements to help explain the design strategies. The link between the figure and the strategies described below it must be visually reinforced (e.g., using matching colors or icons). 3. Methodology and Assumptions Material Thickness Choices: The rationale behind selecting different thicknesses for mycelium (75mm), XPS (70mm), and Rockwool (50mm) is unclear. Since all three materials are commercially available at 75mm, a uniform comparison would be more appropriate. Alternatively, if you're comparing them based on other premises, this needs to be explicitly stated and justified. Wall Assembly Logic: The placement of mycelium in the middle layer and Rockwool on the outer layer must be explained. Is this arrangement based on established construction practices? If so, please cite relevant references. Otherwise, clarify the reasoning and whether this setup could realistically be implemented in Egyptian construction. 4. Claims That Require Supporting Data Carbon Absorption Statement: “Mycelium has the capability to capture and store over 16 metric tons of carbon in just one month.” This is an extremely bold claim. You must specify: How much mycelium biomass is required to achieve this carbon sequestration? Conclusion Section: Several claims lack supporting references, such as: XPS creating sealed environments prone to mold. Biodegradability and fire risks of XPS. Indoor air quality degradation. Health impacts on building occupants. Recommendation: Every statement in this section must be supported by peer-reviewed or technical reference. Avoid repeating unverified assumptions. Mycelium Advantages (Bullet List): The following claims need references: Lower cost – please include economic comparison per square meter using current market prices. Biodegradability – supported by LCA or composting data. Low energy in production – cite data comparing embodied energy of production. Limited production locations – quantify or describe this constraint and its implications. Overall, the conclusion needs to be grounded in stronger and more comprehensive data. 5. Broader Argument and Contribution Currently, the paper shows that mycelium is roughly comparable to XPS in performance. However, it does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt it. For instance: Is it more sustainable across the entire lifecycle? Is it more cost-effective? Is there a regulatory or design advantage? Without these arguments being data-driven, the conclusion remains speculative. The paper should include a stronger comparative synthesis, perhaps a table summarizing key performance indicators (e.g., thermal conductivity, embodied energy, biodegradability, toxicity, fire safety, cost). Final Recommendation: The paper addresses an important topic with promising potential. However, due to issues with clarity, insufficient referencing, methodological gaps, and weak evidence in support of key claims, I recommend a decision once the author makes the necessary changes: Expand and strengthen the literature review, Justify modeling choices more rigorously, Substantiate all environmental and performance claims with references, Improve figure clarity and citation, the paper could make a valuable contribution to the field of sustainable construction materials. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? No Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? No If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Partly Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Partly Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Mycelium materials. Life-cycle assessment and thermal performance I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Carcassi OB. Reviewer Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392627 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v1#referee-response-392627 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Author Response 24 Jan 2026 passant khaled , Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt 24 Jan 2026 Author Response Reviewer comment: The paper does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt mycelium. Several claims in the conclusion lack supporting references Author response: Thank ... Continue reading Reviewer comment: The paper does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt mycelium. Several claims in the conclusion lack supporting references Author response: Thank you for this comment. The conclusion has been strengthened by adding additional peer-reviewed and technical references to support key claims. In addition, a new comparative table has been introduced to directly compare mycelium and XPS across indicators of thermal performance, embodied energy, emissions, biodegradability, fire safety, and overall environmental impact, based on published literature. Reviewer comment: The paper does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt mycelium. Several claims in the conclusion lack supporting references Author response: Thank you for this comment. The conclusion has been strengthened by adding additional peer-reviewed and technical references to support key claims. In addition, a new comparative table has been introduced to directly compare mycelium and XPS across indicators of thermal performance, embodied energy, emissions, biodegradability, fire safety, and overall environmental impact, based on published literature. Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT Author Response 24 Jan 2026 passant khaled , Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt 24 Jan 2026 Author Response Reviewer comment: The paper does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt mycelium. Several claims in the conclusion lack supporting references Author response: Thank ... Continue reading Reviewer comment: The paper does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt mycelium. Several claims in the conclusion lack supporting references Author response: Thank you for this comment. The conclusion has been strengthened by adding additional peer-reviewed and technical references to support key claims. In addition, a new comparative table has been introduced to directly compare mycelium and XPS across indicators of thermal performance, embodied energy, emissions, biodegradability, fire safety, and overall environmental impact, based on published literature. Reviewer comment: The paper does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt mycelium. Several claims in the conclusion lack supporting references Author response: Thank you for this comment. The conclusion has been strengthened by adding additional peer-reviewed and technical references to support key claims. In addition, a new comparative table has been introduced to directly compare mycelium and XPS across indicators of thermal performance, embodied energy, emissions, biodegradability, fire safety, and overall environmental impact, based on published literature. Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close Report a concern COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Comments on this article Comments (0) Version 2 VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 24 Apr 2025 ADD YOUR COMMENT Comment keyboard_arrow_left keyboard_arrow_right Open Peer Review Reviewer Status info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Reviewer Reports Invited Reviewers 1 2 3 4 Version 2 (revision) 24 Jan 26 read read Version 1 24 Apr 25 read read Olga Beatrice Carcassi , Columbia University, New York, USA Jia Heng Teoh , Nanyang Technological University (Ringgold ID: 54761), Singapore, Singapore Hamid Yusoff , Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia Rouwaida Hussein Ali , University of Diyala, Diayla, Iraq Comments on this article All Comments (0) Add a comment Sign up for content alerts Sign Up You are now signed up to receive this alert Browse by related subjects keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2026 Ali R. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 16 Apr 2026 | for Version 2 Rouwaida Hussein Ali , University of Diyala, Diayla, Iraq 0 Views copyright © 2026 Ali R. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (0) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions This manuscript addresses a highly relevant and timely topic in sustainable construction by investigating mycelium-based insulation as an alternative to conventional materials (XPS and Rockwool). The study contributes to the growing body of research on bio-based materials in hot climates , particularly within the Egyptian context. The integration of DesignBuilder + EnergyPlus simulation and the focus on thermal comfort (PMV/PPD), U-value, and energy consumption are appropriate and aligned with current research practices. However, despite its potential, the manuscript requires major revisions before it can meet indexing standards due to issues in: Methodological rigor Reproducibility Depth of analysis Strength of evidence The study exhibits several important limitations that reduce its scientific rigor and reliability. First, it relies entirely on simulation using DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus without any experimental validation, which limits confidence in the results and their real-world applicability. In addition, the methodology lacks sufficient transparency, as key simulation parameters such as HVAC setpoints, internal loads, infiltration rates, and occupancy schedules are not clearly reported, making the study difficult to reproduce. Furthermore, the comparison between insulation materials is not fully consistent, since different thicknesses were used (e.g., 75 mm for mycelium vs. 70 mm for XPS and 50 mm for Rockwool), which may bias the results in favor of certain materials . The analytical depth is also limited, as the study does not include statistical validation, sensitivity analysis, or uncertainty assessment, despite reporting very small performance differences between materials. Another key weakness is the over-reliance on literature to support environmental and sustainability claims without conducting a dedicated life cycle assessment (LCA) or cost analysis within the study itself. Finally, the literature review is relatively limited and lacks sufficient engagement with recent high-impact studies, while some sections of the manuscript (particularly the introduction and conclusions) remain descriptive and insufficiently supported by strong scientific evidence. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? Partly Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Partly If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Yes Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Partly Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise engineering I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (0) Ali RH. Peer Review Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r471892) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2#referee-response-471892 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2026 Yusoff H. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 02 Mar 2026 | for Version 2 Hamid Yusoff , Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia 0 Views copyright © 2026 Yusoff H. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (0) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions 1. Summary of the Article This manuscript evaluates mycelium-based insulation as a sustainable alternative to conventional insulation materials (XPS and Rockwool) in residential buildings located in New Cairo, Egypt. The study uses Design-Builder integrated with Energy Plus to simulate thermal performance for a typical floor of a Type A building in Janna Compound. Four wall configurations are modeled: Base case (no insulation) Mycelium insulation XPS insulation Rockwool insulation The comparison includes: U-value (thermal transmittance) Annual discomfort hours PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) Energy consumption during hot months CO₂ emission reductions The authors conclude that mycelium performs comparably to XPS in thermal performance and energy savings while offering environmental advantages such as biodegradability and lower embodied carbon. The topic is highly relevant and contributes to the growing interest in bio-based materials for sustainable construction in hot climates. However, several methodological clarifications and evidentiary improvements are required before the conclusions can be considered fully supported. 2. Major Comments (Must Be Addressed) A. Justification of Insulation Thickness and Wall Assembly The materials are compared using different insulation thicknesses: Mycelium: 75 mm XPS: 70 mm Rockwool: 50 mm Since insulation thickness directly affects U-value and energy performance, this difference may influence the results. Required action: Either standardize thickness across all materials, or Clearly justify the selection (e.g., equivalent R-values, commercial availability, Egyptian market norms, or structural constraints). Additionally, Rockwool is placed differently in the wall assembly compared to mycelium and XPS. The reasoning for this difference must be explained and supported by construction practice references. Without this clarification, the comparison risks methodological bias. B. Insufficient Detail in Simulation Parameters The simulation settings lack sufficient transparency for full reproducibility. The manuscript does not clearly specify: Cooling and heating setpoints Internal loads (lighting, equipment gains) Infiltration rates (ACH) Detailed occupancy schedules Control strategies for natural ventilation Required action: Provide a comprehensive summary table of all simulation assumptions and parameters. This is essential for scientific rigor and reproducibility. C. Limited Statistical or Sensitivity Analysis The study reports performance differences, but: No sensitivity analysis is conducted. No uncertainty analysis is presented. The differences between mycelium and XPS are very small (e.g., 15.8% vs 15.7% energy reduction) yet are discussed as meaningful. Required action: At minimum: Clarify whether these differences are practically significant. Include a brief discussion on modeling uncertainty. Consider performing a sensitivity analysis (e.g., varying thermal conductivity values). Without this, claims of superiority or equivalence should be more cautiously framed. D. Environmental Claims Require Stronger Quantification The manuscript emphasizes sustainability advantages of mycelium (low embodied energy, carbon sequestration, biodegradability). While references are included, the study itself does not perform: A lifecycle assessment (LCA) A cost analysis A durability comparison Therefore, the argument for adoption remains partly speculative. Required action: Clearly distinguish between simulation-based findings and literature-based sustainability claims. Avoid overstating environmental benefits unless supported by quantified analysis within this study. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? Partly Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Partly If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Not applicable Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Partly Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise 1. Mycelium composite I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (0) Yusoff H. Peer Review Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.193600.r457749) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2#referee-response-457749 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 Teoh J. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 09 Aug 2025 | for Version 1 Jia Heng Teoh , Nanyang Technological University (Ringgold ID: 54761), Singapore, Singapore 0 Views copyright © 2025 Teoh J. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (1) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions In the study titled, “Evaluating mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency”, Khaled, Hany and Mossad have evaluated the use of mycelium-based materials as an insulation material in Egypt through simulations using a commercial software. Their studies have shown that compared to two other conventional insulation materials (XPS and Rockwool), mycelium-based materials performed better than or at the very least comparable to XPS and Rockwool in metrics relating to thermal performance and energy efficiency. The following are my comments regarding the study. Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or root-like structure of the fungus. How easily accessible is mycelium in the area of the case study? What is the feasibility of fabricating mycelium-based material using locally available resources in Egypt? While mycelium-based materials are sustainable, if mycelium and the substrate need to be imported, the carbon footprint and energy consumed in transportation will negatively affect its sustainability. Regarding the mycelium-based material that is being simulated in this study, what is the fungal species and the substrate or agricultural waste being assumed in this study? Literature has shown that mycelium-based material can be made with a variety of fungal species and substrates and as such, a bit more specificity is required. Please include references to justify that XPS and Rockwool are indeed traditional insulation materials commonly used in Egypt. This is unclear to readers who are not based in Egypt. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? Partly Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Yes Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Yes Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Yes Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise Advanced fabrication and characterization of mycelium-bound composites and fungal-based engineered living materials. I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (1) Author Response 24 Jan 2026 passant khaled, Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt Reviewer comment 1: “Please double check the definition of mycelium stated at the beginning of the literature review. The description fits the fruiting body more than mycelium, the vegetative or root-like structure of the fungus.” Author response: Thank you for this helpful observation. The definition of mycelium in the literature review has been corrected to accurately describe mycelium as the vegetative, filamentous network (hyphae) of a fungus rather than the fruiting body. Reviewer comment 2: “How easily accessible is mycelium in the area of the case study? Author response: We appreciate this important point. A new paragraph has been added to the manuscript describing the current accessibility of mycelium in Egypt and the feasibility of local production. The text highlights emerging companies such as Cupmena and Mycelium Egypt, which cultivate mycelium using agricultural waste, demonstrating that mycelium-based materials can be produced locally without relying on imports. This addresses the sustainability concern and clarifies the material’s local availability. View more View less Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. reply Respond Report a concern Teoh JH. Peer Review Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392628) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v1#referee-response-392628 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 Carcassi O. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 08 Aug 2025 | for Version 1 Olga Beatrice Carcassi , Columbia University, New York, New York, USA 0 Views copyright © 2025 Carcassi O. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (1) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions General Comments: The paper provides a timely and relevant comparison between conventional insulation materials (XPS, Rockwool) and a bio-based alternative—mycelium. The use of Egyptian housing as a case study adds valuable regional relevance and could offer meaningful insights into sustainable construction practices in hot climates. However, while the research addresses an important topic and offers promising insights, the current version suffers from issues related to clarity, limited referencing, insufficient justification of methodology choices, and a lack of strong data to support its conclusions. Below are detailed comments categorized for clarity. 1. Clarity, Structure, and Referencing Clarity: The paper would benefit from substantial editing for overall coherence. Key sections (especially the background and conclusion) are unclear or contain vague statements that need further development and evidence by expanding the literature review Referencing: The literature review and referencing are insufficient. Ref [1] is overused throughout the paper. It is essential to engage with a broader range of literature. Recommendation: In the Introduction and Background sections, aim for at least one reference per factual statement, ideally two. This should also apply to the Conclusion section. Include mycelium-specific references. The field has a rapidly growing body of literature, including studies on thermal conductivity, lifecycle assessment, biodegradability, and production methods. Avoid generalizations without backing data. Each claim, especially those that compare performance or environmental impact, must be supported with references. 2. Figures and Visuals Figure 1: Please add the source of the data presented in this figure. It is crucial to ensure transparency in data visualization. Figure 3: This figure needs graphical improvement. Ensure the copyright of any images used is properly cited or that permission has been obtained. If images were generated using AI, please check the journal's policy on the use of AI tools for figures. Figure 4: Improve its readability, especially for readers unfamiliar with climate-responsive design tools. Make clear if the legend relates to lines or data points. Use color-coded arrows or graphical elements to help explain the design strategies. The link between the figure and the strategies described below it must be visually reinforced (e.g., using matching colors or icons). 3. Methodology and Assumptions Material Thickness Choices: The rationale behind selecting different thicknesses for mycelium (75mm), XPS (70mm), and Rockwool (50mm) is unclear. Since all three materials are commercially available at 75mm, a uniform comparison would be more appropriate. Alternatively, if you're comparing them based on other premises, this needs to be explicitly stated and justified. Wall Assembly Logic: The placement of mycelium in the middle layer and Rockwool on the outer layer must be explained. Is this arrangement based on established construction practices? If so, please cite relevant references. Otherwise, clarify the reasoning and whether this setup could realistically be implemented in Egyptian construction. 4. Claims That Require Supporting Data Carbon Absorption Statement: “Mycelium has the capability to capture and store over 16 metric tons of carbon in just one month.” This is an extremely bold claim. You must specify: How much mycelium biomass is required to achieve this carbon sequestration? Conclusion Section: Several claims lack supporting references, such as: XPS creating sealed environments prone to mold. Biodegradability and fire risks of XPS. Indoor air quality degradation. Health impacts on building occupants. Recommendation: Every statement in this section must be supported by peer-reviewed or technical reference. Avoid repeating unverified assumptions. Mycelium Advantages (Bullet List): The following claims need references: Lower cost – please include economic comparison per square meter using current market prices. Biodegradability – supported by LCA or composting data. Low energy in production – cite data comparing embodied energy of production. Limited production locations – quantify or describe this constraint and its implications. Overall, the conclusion needs to be grounded in stronger and more comprehensive data. 5. Broader Argument and Contribution Currently, the paper shows that mycelium is roughly comparable to XPS in performance. However, it does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt it. For instance: Is it more sustainable across the entire lifecycle? Is it more cost-effective? Is there a regulatory or design advantage? Without these arguments being data-driven, the conclusion remains speculative. The paper should include a stronger comparative synthesis, perhaps a table summarizing key performance indicators (e.g., thermal conductivity, embodied energy, biodegradability, toxicity, fire safety, cost). Final Recommendation: The paper addresses an important topic with promising potential. However, due to issues with clarity, insufficient referencing, methodological gaps, and weak evidence in support of key claims, I recommend a decision once the author makes the necessary changes: Expand and strengthen the literature review, Justify modeling choices more rigorously, Substantiate all environmental and performance claims with references, Improve figure clarity and citation, the paper could make a valuable contribution to the field of sustainable construction materials. Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail? No Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? No If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Partly Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for teaching or other practitioners? Partly Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise Mycelium materials. Life-cycle assessment and thermal performance I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (1) Author Response 24 Jan 2026 passant khaled, Department of Architectural and Engineering Environmental Design, Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria Governorate, 1029, Egypt Reviewer comment: The paper does not clearly build a compelling case for why the construction sector should adopt mycelium. Several claims in the conclusion lack supporting references Author response: Thank you for this comment. The conclusion has been strengthened by adding additional peer-reviewed and technical references to support key claims. In addition, a new comparative table has been introduced to directly compare mycelium and XPS across indicators of thermal performance, embodied energy, emissions, biodegradability, fire safety, and overall environmental impact, based on published literature. View more View less Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. reply Respond Report a concern Carcassi OB. Peer Review Report For: Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative study on thermal performance, comfort, and energy efficiency [version 2; peer review: 4 approved with reservations] . F1000Research 2026, 14 :459 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179279.r392627) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v1#referee-response-392627 Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved - the paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations - A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved - fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Adjust parameters to alter display View on desktop for interactive features Includes Interactive Elements View on desktop for interactive features Competing Interests Policy Provide sufficient details of any financial or non-financial competing interests to enable users to assess whether your comments might lead a reasonable person to question your impartiality. Consider the following examples, but note that this is not an exhaustive list: Examples of 'Non-Financial Competing Interests' Within the past 4 years, you have held joint grants, published or collaborated with any of the authors of the selected paper. You have a close personal relationship (e.g. parent, spouse, sibling, or domestic partner) with any of the authors. You are a close professional associate of any of the authors (e.g. scientific mentor, recent student). You work at the same institute as any of the authors. You hope/expect to benefit (e.g. favour or employment) as a result of your submission. You are an Editor for the journal in which the article is published. Examples of 'Financial Competing Interests' You expect to receive, or in the past 4 years have received, any of the following from any commercial organisation that may gain financially from your submission: a salary, fees, funding, reimbursements. You expect to receive, or in the past 4 years have received, shared grant support or other funding with any of the authors. You hold, or are currently applying for, any patents or significant stocks/shares relating to the subject matter of the paper you are commenting on. Stay Updated Sign up for content alerts and receive a weekly or monthly email with all newly published articles Register with F1000Research Already registered? Sign in Not now, thanks close PLEASE NOTE If you are an AUTHOR of this article, please check that you signed in with the account associated with this article otherwise we cannot automatically identify your role as an author and your comment will be labelled as a “User Comment”. If you are a REVIEWER of this article, please check that you have signed in with the account associated with this article and then go to your account to submit your report, please do not post your review here. If you do not have access to your original account, please contact us . All commenters must hold a formal affiliation as per our Policies . The information that you give us will be displayed next to your comment. User comments must be in English, comprehensible and relevant to the article under discussion. We reserve the right to remove any comments that we consider to be inappropriate, offensive or otherwise in breach of the User Comment Terms and Conditions . Commenters must not use a comment for personal attacks. When criticisms of the article are based on unpublished data, the data should be made available. I accept the User Comment Terms and Conditions Please confirm that you accept the User Comment Terms and Conditions. Affiliation ✕ refresh Please enter your institution. Note: To add your institution or organisation, start typing the name and then select the correct name from the list. Where applicable, the name will appear in both the original language and in English. Do not paste in the name. If the name does not appear in the drop-down list, we will display the information you have entered. ✕ refresh Country/Region * USA UK Canada China France Germany Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo (Serbia and Montenegro) Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Minor Outlying Islands of the United States Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Is South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Gambia The Netherlands Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu UK USA Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Virgin Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna West Bank and Gaza Strip Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Please select your country/region. You must enter a comment. Competing Interests Please disclose any competing interests that might be construed to influence your judgment of the article's or peer review report's validity or importance. Competing Interests Policy Provide sufficient details of any financial or non-financial competing interests to enable users to assess whether your comments might lead a reasonable person to question your impartiality. Consider the following examples, but note that this is not an exhaustive list: Examples of 'Non-Financial Competing Interests' Within the past 4 years, you have held joint grants, published or collaborated with any of the authors of the selected paper. You have a close personal relationship (e.g. parent, spouse, sibling, or domestic partner) with any of the authors. You are a close professional associate of any of the authors (e.g. scientific mentor, recent student). You work at the same institute as any of the authors. You hope/expect to benefit (e.g. favour or employment) as a result of your submission. You are an Editor for the journal in which the article is published. Examples of 'Financial Competing Interests' You expect to receive, or in the past 4 years have received, any of the following from any commercial organisation that may gain financially from your submission: a salary, fees, funding, reimbursements. You expect to receive, or in the past 4 years have received, shared grant support or other funding with any of the authors. You hold, or are currently applying for, any patents or significant stocks/shares relating to the subject matter of the paper you are commenting on. Please state your competing interests The comment has been saved. An error has occurred. Please try again. Cancel Post var lTitle = "Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material:...".replace("'", ''); var linkedInUrl = "http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2" + "&title=" + encodeURIComponent(lTitle) + "&summary=" + encodeURIComponent('Read the article by '); var deliciousUrl = "https://del.icio.us/post?url=https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2&title=" + encodeURIComponent(lTitle); var redditUrl = "http://reddit.com/submit?url=https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2" + "&title=" + encodeURIComponent(lTitle); linkedInUrl += encodeURIComponent('Khaled B et al.'); var offsetTop = /chrome/i.test( navigator.userAgent ) ? 4 : -10; var addthis_config = { ui_offset_top: offsetTop, services_compact : "facebook,twitter,www.linkedin.com,www.mendeley.com,reddit.com", services_expanded : "facebook,twitter,www.linkedin.com,www.mendeley.com,reddit.com", services_custom : [ { name: "LinkedIn", url: linkedInUrl, icon:"/img/icon/at_linkedin.svg" }, { name: "Mendeley", url: "http://www.mendeley.com/import/?url=https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2/mendeley", icon:"/img/icon/at_mendeley.svg" }, { name: "Reddit", url: redditUrl, icon:"/img/icon/at_reddit.svg" }, ] }; var addthis_share = { url: "https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459", templates : { twitter : "Evaluating Mycelium as an insulation material: A comparative.... Khaled B et al., published by " + "@F1000Research" + ", https://f1000research.com/articles/14-459/v2" } }; if (typeof(addthis) != "undefined"){ addthis.addEventListener('addthis.ready', checkCount); addthis.addEventListener('addthis.menu.share', checkCount); } $(".f1r-shares-twitter").attr("href", "https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=" + addthis_share.templates.twitter); $(".f1r-shares-facebook").attr("href", "https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=" + addthis_share.url); $(".f1r-shares-linkedin").attr("href", addthis_config.services_custom[0].url); $(".f1r-shares-reddit").attr("href", addthis_config.services_custom[2].url); $(".f1r-shares-mendelay").attr("href", addthis_config.services_custom[1].url); function checkCount(){ setTimeout(function(){ $(".addthis_button_expanded").each(function(){ var count = $(this).text(); if (count !== "" && count != "0") $(this).removeClass("is-hidden"); else $(this).addClass("is-hidden"); }); }, 1000); } close How to cite this report {{reportCitation}} Cancel Copy Citation Details $(function(){R.ui.buttonDropdowns('.dropdown-for-downloads');}); $(function(){R.ui.toolbarDropdowns('.toolbar-dropdown-for-downloads');}); $.get("/articles/acj/162989/193600") new F1000.Clipboard(); new F1000.ThesaurusTermsDisplay("articles", "article", "193600"); $(document).ready(function() { $( "#frame1" ).on('load', function() { var mydiv = $(this).contents().find("div"); var h = mydiv.height(); console.log(h) }); var tooltipLivingFigure = jQuery(".interactive-living-figure-label .icon-more-info"), titleLivingFigure = tooltipLivingFigure.attr("title"); tooltipLivingFigure.simpletip({ fixed: true, position: ["-115", "30"], baseClass: 'small-tooltip', content:titleLivingFigure + " " }); tooltipLivingFigure.removeAttr("title"); $("body").on("click", ".cite-living-figure", function(e) { e.preventDefault(); var ref = $(this).attr("data-ref"); $(this).closest(".living-figure-list-container").find("#" + ref).fadeIn(200); }); $("body").on("click", ".close-cite-living-figure", function(e) { e.preventDefault(); $(this).closest(".popup-window-wrapper").fadeOut(200); }); $(document).on("mouseup", function(e) { var metricsContainer = $(".article-metrics-popover-wrapper"); if (!metricsContainer.is(e.target) && metricsContainer.has(e.target).length === 0) { $(".article-metrics-close-button").click(); } }); var articleId = $('#articleId').val(); if($("#main-article-count-box").attachArticleMetrics) { $("#main-article-count-box").attachArticleMetrics(articleId, { articleMetricsView: true }); } }); var figshareWidget = $(".new_figshare_widget"); if (figshareWidget.length > 0) { window.figshare.load("f1000", function(Widget) { // Select a tag/tags defined in your page. In this tag we will place the widget. _.map(figshareWidget, function(el){ var widget = new Widget({ articleId: $(el).attr("figshare_articleId") //height:300 // this is the height of the viewer part. [Default: 550] }); widget.initialize(); // initialize the widget widget.mount(el); // mount it in a tag that's on your page // this will save the widget on the global scope for later use from // your JS scripts. This line is optional. //window.widget = widget; }); }); } close Error Close Add Reset F1000.MICROSERVICES.AFFILIATION = ''; $(document).ready(function () { $('.js-affiliations-form').each((index, form) => { new AffiliationForm({ formId: form.id, institutionErrorSelector: '.comment-enter-institution', departmentErrorSelector: '.comment-enter-department', placeSelector: '.js-add-comment-place', stateSelector: '.js-add-comment-state', zipCodeSelector: '.js-add-comment-zipcode', countrySelector: '.js-add-comment-country', countryErrorSelector: '.comment-enter-country', }); }); }); $(document).ready(function () { var reportIds = { "457743": 0, "457750": 0, "457751": 0, "457748": 0, "457749": 5, "457746": 0, "457747": 0, "457744": 0, "457745": 0, "457752": 0, "452911": 0, "452912": 0, "471887": 0, "471886": 0, "471885": 0, "471884": 0, "471893": 0, "471892": 4, "471891": 0, "471890": 0, "471889": 0, "471888": 0, "390237": 0, "390236": 0, "390239": 0, "390238": 0, "390245": 0, "468327": 0, "390244": 0, "468326": 0, "468325": 0, "468324": 0, "390241": 0, "390240": 0, "390243": 0, "390242": 0, "468333": 0, "468332": 0, "468331": 0, "468330": 0, "468329": 0, "468328": 0, "454822": 0, "454823": 0, "454820": 0, "454821": 0, "454819": 0, "454828": 0, "454826": 0, "454827": 0, "454824": 0, "454825": 0, "392629": 0, "392628": 15, "392631": 0, "392630": 0, "392625": 0, "392624": 0, "392627": 22, "392626": 0, "392633": 0, "392632": 0, "381133": 0, "381132": 0, "381135": 0, "381134": 0, "381129": 0, "381128": 0, "381131": 0, "381130": 0, "453334": 0, "453335": 0, "453332": 0, "453333": 0, "381137": 0, "453330": 0, "381136": 0, "453331": 0, "453328": 0, "453329": 0, "453336": 0, "453337": 0, "470247": 0, "470246": 0, "470245": 0, "470244": 0, "470243": 0, "470242": 0, "470241": 0, "470240": 0, "394735": 0, "470249": 0, "470248": 0, "394742": 0, "394743": 0, "394740": 0, "394741": 0, "394738": 0, "394739": 0, "394736": 0, "394737": 0, "394744": 0, }; $(".referee-response-container,.js-referee-report").each(function(index, el) { var reportId = $(el).attr("data-reportid"), reportCount = reportIds[reportId] || 0; $(el).find(".comments-count-container,.js-referee-report-views").html(reportCount); }); var uuidInput = $("#article_uuid"), oldUUId = uuidInput.val(), newUUId = "3ac8c145-f207-4b36-8c06-f459fea286b6"; uuidInput.val(newUUId); $("a[href*='article_uuid=']").each(function(index, el) { var newHref = $(el).attr("href").replace(oldUUId, newUUId); $(el).attr("href", newHref); }); }); An innovative open access publishing platform offering rapid publication and open peer review, whilst supporting data deposition and sharing. Browse Gateways Collections How it Works Contact For Developers Cookie Notice Privacy Notice RSS Submit Your Research Follow us © 2012-2026 F1000 Research Ltd. ISSN 2046-1402 | Legal | Partner of Research4Life • CrossRef • ORCID • FAIRSharing R.templateTests.simpleTemplate = R.template(' $text $text $text $text $text '); R.templateTests.runTests(); var F1000platform = new F1000.Platform({ name: "f1000research", displayName: "F1000Research", hostName: "f1000research.com", id: "1", editorialEmail: "[email protected]", infoEmail: "[email protected]", usePmcStats: true }); $(function(){R.ui.dropdowns('.dropdown-for-authors, .dropdown-for-about, .dropdown-for-myresearch');}); // $(function(){R.ui.dropdowns('.dropdown-for-referees');}); $(document).ready(function () { if ($(".cookie-warning").is(":visible")) { $(".sticky").css("margin-bottom", "35px"); $(".devices").addClass("devices-and-cookie-warning"); } $(".cookie-warning .close-button").click(function (e) { $(".devices").removeClass("devices-and-cookie-warning"); $(".sticky").css("margin-bottom", "0"); }); $("#tweeter-feed .tweet-message").each(function (i, message) { var self = $(message); self.html(linkify(self.html())); }); $(".partner").on("mouseenter mouseleave", function() { $(this).find(".gray-scale, .colour").toggleClass("is-hidden"); }); }); Sign In Remember me Forgotten your password? Sign In Cancel Email or password not correct. Please try again Please wait... $(function(){ // Note: All the setup needs to run against a name attribute and *not* the id due the clonish // nature of facebox... $("a[id=googleSignInButton]").click(function(event){ event.preventDefault(); $("input[id=oAuthSystem]").val("GOOGLE"); $("form[id=oAuthForm]").submit(); }); $("a[id=facebookSignInButton]").click(function(event){ event.preventDefault(); $("input[id=oAuthSystem]").val("FACEBOOK"); $("form[id=oAuthForm]").submit(); }); $("a[id=orcidSignInButton]").click(function(event){ event.preventDefault(); $("input[id=oAuthSystem]").val("ORCID"); $("form[id=oAuthForm]").submit(); }); }); If you've forgotten your password, please enter your email address below and we'll send you instructions on how to reset your password. The email address should be the one you originally registered with F1000. Email address not valid, please try again You registered with F1000 via Google, so we cannot reset your password. To sign in, please click here . If you still need help with your Google account password, please click here . You registered with F1000 via Facebook, so we cannot reset your password. To sign in, please click here . If you still need help with your Facebook account password, please click here . Code not correct, please try again Reset password Cancel Email us for further assistance. Server error, please try again. If your email address is registered with us, we will email you instructions to reset your password. If you think you should have received this email but it has not arrived, please check your spam filters and/or contact for further assistance. Please wait... Register $(document).ready(function () { signIn.createSignInAsRow($("#sign-in-form-gfb-popup")); $(".target-field").each(function () { var uris = $(this).val().split("/"); if (uris.pop() === "login") { $(this).val(uris.toString().replace(",","/")); } }); });