3D PRINTED CONCRETE CORAL REEFS AIM TO HEAD OFF DISASTER
We all love watching those calming videos showing the incredible colors and diversity of coral reefs—the rainbow of glowing fish and the gently waving fronds of coral and other reef formations. Many of us have been lucky enough to snorkel or scuba and do our Jacques Cousteau impressions on vacation in the Caribbean and other gorgeous spots.
But there’s trouble in paradise—over 40% of the reefs worldwide are sick or dying. Why? No, not from Covid, but from a perfect storm of problems—warming oceans, pollution, human contact, fishermen dynamiting reefs, expansion of cruise ships, and the pH of the ocean growing more acidic due to CO2. Sorry you asked? Well, all is not lost.
Those 500 million year old corals have a few tricks up their sleeves (if they had arms, that is) and have some friends wearing white lab coats and operating 3d printers. American startup Madco3d ( www.madco3d.com ) is 3d-printing sustainable concrete coral reefs and art in most any shape to the specification of marine biologists and resorts looking to make a difference.
Scientists have zeroed in on the hardiest coral species, ones that can weather the storm by evolving to cope with current conditions, and guiding Madco3d technologists to create reef elements that coral seem to like best, to help them grow faster, safer and protect vulnerable shorelines and habitats. The Madco3d technology prints shapes derived from 3d computer files, layer by layer, in a large bed of sand (up to 20’ x 9’). Sfter curing overnight, the forms are removed and prepped for placement in the sea.
MADCO3D INTERN HOLDS 3D-PRINTED CORAL
Funnily enough, the unusual printing method and material creates something that coral like—texture, the form and pH—and allows both biologically correct coral forms and artistic sculptures to be printed as home for cora. Madco3d plans to 3d-print an underwater sculpture soon featuring a mermaid swimming among coral reefs and concrete waves, and has inquiries for any number of out-there art and underwater installations by ocean-loving resorts and collectors.
Is 3d printing the answer to saving the reefs? Seems as if they are part of the answer. And if the Madco3d people reach their goal of printing sea walls as well as large reefs, it just might solve some serious oceanic problems.