AÑO
2021
CATEGORÍA
Comunidad
OBJETIVOS
Industria, innovación e infraestructura, Ciudades y comunidades sostenibles, Acción por el clima, Vida submarina, Alianzas para lograr los objetivos
PAL. CLAVE
3d printing, calcium carbonate, ocean cleaner, Coral Reef, infrastructure
PAÍS
United States of America
CRÉDITOS
Alex Schofield
LINK
https://www.oplusi.com/coral-carbonate
Coral Carbonate
novel application of a 3D printed coral to support regrowth of coral reefs
The footprint of our existence has had a catastrophic impact on ecosystems globally. In particular, coral reefs are being decimated by human-induced conditions quicker than can recover and grow. However, novel application of a 3D printed coral, in the form of the material substrate Calcium Carbonate, can help combat this phenomenon. More specifically, Calcium Carbonate is 3D printed to mimic the materiality which makes up the hard structural home of Coral’s living polyp inhabitants. This unique material development has led to the invention of a working prototype in support of a wide range of ocean life ecosystems by fabricating and reseeding a 3D printed synthetic calcium carbonate scaffold. The 3D printed coral is currently being tested with 3D printed structures, tiles, and frags used to further research and test live applications and support of coral seeding, regrowth, as well as a biological substrate for the growth of other ocean life.