Algae
_Algae Textiles
Urbanization and construction contribute substantially to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. In response, emerging biological materials aim to leverage the metabolic activity of living microorganisms to mitigate aspects of human environmental impact. These material investigations advance the concept of a living, photosynthetic carbon-capturing textile for the built environment. The research demonstrates fabrication approaches that integrate living microorganisms into experimental digital production methods, focusing on photosynthetic microalgae that metabolize waste streams and sequester CO₂ within interior architectural contexts. These biocomposites combine flexible textile substrates, including cotton, hessian, polyester, and canvas, to create algae-infused matrices that continue to evolve throughout their functional lifespan. The study examines biological 3D-printing processes and the formulation of material mixtures that are both compatible with fabrication constraints and capable of sustaining the metabolic activity of Chlorella vulgaris.
