3D-printed terracotta tiles have been produced for the purpose of helping to restore damaged coral reefs. The tiles are the work of the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) at the University of Hong Kong in response to a rapid decline in the region’s coral in recent years, which scientists have attributed to global warming, pollution, net fishing and water sports.
The tiles can help restore these lost ecosystems by providing a structure to enable the natural coral to regrow. The tiles are being printed with a robotic system to enable a more efficient and diverse process – with intricate and complex structures – than could be achieved with traditional terracotta moulds. Terracotta is an ideal material because it is porous and its textured surface is suitable for marine organisms to attach themselves to.
In July 2020, a team from the university placed their tiles, seeded with coral fragments, over an area spanning 430 square feet on the sea bed within Hong Kong’s Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, where progress of the reef will be monitored. If successful, the project will be expanded to restore other reefs.
“3D printing offers the advantage to produce objects and parts much more cost-effectively. But the most powerful advantage of it is that it could print each object with a different design without increasing the cost,” said team leader Christian Lange.
further reading…
3D-printed terracotta tiles have been produced for the purpose of helping to restore damaged coral reefs. The tiles are the work of the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) at the University of Hong Kong in response to a rapid decline in the region’s coral in recent years, which scientists have attributed to global warming, pollution, net fishing and water sports.
The tiles can help restore these lost ecosystems by providing a structure to enable the natural coral to regrow. The tiles are being printed with a robotic system to enable a more efficient and diverse process – with intricate and complex structures – than could be achieved with traditional terracotta moulds. Terracotta is an ideal material because it is porous and its textured surface is suitable for marine organisms to attach themselves to.
In July 2020, a team from the university placed their tiles, seeded with coral fragments, over an area spanning 430 square feet on the sea bed within Hong Kong’s Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, where progress of the reef will be monitored. If successful, the project will be expanded to restore other reefs.
“3D printing offers the advantage to produce objects and parts much more cost-effectively. But the most powerful advantage of it is that it could print each object with a different design without increasing the cost,” said team leader Christian Lange.