Fig. 1. Recirculating flow tank with modifications for direct measurement of reconfiguration. The overall length of the tank was 2.4 m; the working section was 0.15 mx0.15 mx0.30 m (WxHxL). Algae (in the working section) were inverted to keep the force transducer dry. The 45° mirror allowed for the visualization of the frontal area of the alga as it reconfigured in flow.