MARINE COTTON

Algae grow up to 40 times faster than rooted plants. All they need is light, water and nutrients. Due to the rapid propagation, they are often seen as a plague. Starting from these properties this study deals specifically with the growth and utilisation of fibrous algae to be used in textile contexts. They are processed by means of newly interpreted technologies into either semi-manufactured products or up to a finished grown product. Marine Cotton represents an alternative to current resources and technologies of the textile industry.

Vortex is a concept that spins fibrous algae into yarn. As long as algae stay in water it is easy to separate or treat them. Lifting them outside, they glue together immediately.
Production process:
1. Keep the vortex slightly above the longest part of the yarn
2. Add more algae so that the fibres connect with each other and lengthen the yarn
3. Speed up the vortex and spin the yarn
4. Turn the crank
5. Start again and redo steps 1-4

Family: Zygnemataciae
Genus: Spirogyra
Habitat: freshwater, occurs in spring in calm waters
Appearance: free-floating, filament, light green
Size: several meters

When algae are exposed to intense sunlight they produce large amounts of oxygen. The oxygen is caught under the dense algae mesh, so that the algae float on the water surface. This effect can be used for a shaping process that is similar to the regular plastic deep drawing process.

Production process:
1. Submerse the tool with the perforated mould into the water and place it underneath the mesh of densely grown algae
2. By lifting the tool, the algae take the shape of the mould
3. Let it dry

Family: Zygnemataciae
Genus: Spirogyra
Habitat: freshwater, occurs in spring in calm waters
Appearance: free-floating, filament, light green
Length: several meters

Due to the fact that Cladophora adhere to surfaces it is possible to grow predefined shapes or coat surfaces.

Production process:
1. Cover the gauze with spores of algae
2. Place the covered mould into the nutrition tank 3. Let them grow
4. and grow
5. and grow
6. The algae adhere to the gauze and coat it during growth
7. Use a water jet to link the fibres with each other for a fleece
8. Let them dry

Family: Cladophoraeceae
Genus: Cladophora
Species: about 10 different types
Habitat: freshwater and seawater, settle on surfaces such as stones, roots, filters etc.
Appearance: green fibrous algae, characteristic strongly branched strands
Length: grow up to 10-25 cm per month