US 12,284,955 B2
Composite materials promoting the catchment and attachment of seaweed holdfasts
Norman E. Clough, Landenberg, PA (US); Eric Dufford, Newark, DE (US); and Varendra N. Silva, Newark, DE (US)
Assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed on Apr. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/131,934.
Application 18/131,934 is a continuation of application No. 17/880,484, filed on Aug. 3, 2022, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/308,876, filed on Feb. 10, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/238,003, filed on Aug. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/229,973, filed on Aug. 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0263118 A1, Aug. 24, 2023
Int. Cl. A01G 33/00 (2006.01); A01G 24/40 (2018.01); D02G 3/04 (2006.01); D02G 3/38 (2006.01); D02G 3/44 (2006.01); D04C 1/02 (2006.01); D04C 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 33/00 (2013.01) [A01G 24/40 (2018.02); D02G 3/38 (2013.01); D02G 3/44 (2013.01); D04C 1/02 (2013.01); D04C 1/06 (2013.01); D02G 3/045 (2013.01); D10B 2321/042 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A seaweed cultivation substrate for anchoring a holdfast of a seaweed plant in an aquatic environment, the substrate comprising:
a first cord extending over a first length and defining an exterior first cord surface configured to face the aquatic environment, the first cord comprising a plurality of first polymer fibers disposed proximate to each other along the first length and defining a first cross-sectional thickness of the first cord, each of the plurality of first polymer fibers further defining a first spacing between adjacent first polymer fibers, the plurality of first polymer fibers and the first spacing together defining a first natural path length extending from the exterior first cord surface and navigating around adjacent first polymer fibers to a first midpoint of the first cross-sectional thickness, the plurality of first polymer fibers and the first spacing together further defining a first tortuosity ratio of the first cord defined by the first natural path length compared to a first straight-line length measured from the exterior first cord surface to the first midpoint;
a second cord engaging the exterior first cord surface, the second cord extending over a second length and defining an exterior second cord surface configured to face the aquatic environment, the second cord comprising a plurality of second polymer fibers disposed proximate to each other along the second length and defining a second cross-sectional thickness of the second cord, each of the plurality of second polymer fibers further defining a second spacing between adjacent second polymer fibers, the plurality of second fibers and the second spacing together defining a second natural path length extending from the exterior second cord surface and navigating around adjacent second polymer fibers to a second midpoint of the second cross-sectional thickness, the plurality of second polymer fibers and the second spacing together further defining a second tortuosity ratio of the second cord defined by the second natural path length compared to a second straight-line length measured from the exterior second cord surface to the second midpoint;
wherein the second tortuosity ratio is at least 5 times greater than the first tortuosity ratio.