Abstract
Abstract Due to their fast rates of growth and regeneration, algae are a promising source of biomass for biofuels, aquatic pollution recovery, and a source of protein nutrients, among others. Cultivation of benthic algal biofilm communities, in particular, shows promise for these functions, yet control of quality and yield are strongly dependent on substrata characteristics that affect algal attachment and growth. No previous research efforts have taken advantage of the recent developments in additive technology to support algal biofilm development. Additive manufacturing allows for the design and control of surface features and provides a platform for developing substrata with surface topographies customized for algal colonization. This article seeks to establish the feasibility of colonizing 3D-printed custom substrata with algal biomass. Three exploratory experiments on algal biofilm colonization of printed surfaces were conducted under a variety of laboratory and natural environments, and all printed ...
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