Abstract
Coral reef degradation is a rising problem, driven by marine heatwaves,
the spread of coral diseases, and human impact by overfishing and
pollution. Our capacity to restore coral reefs lags behind in terms of
scale, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency. While common restoration
efforts rely on the formation of carbonate skeletons on structural
frames for supported coral growth, this technique is a rate-limiting
step in the growth of scleractinian corals. Reverse engineering and
additive manufacturing technologies offer an innovative shift in
approach from the use of concrete blocks and metal frames to
sophisticated efforts that use scanned geometries of harvested corals to
fabricate artificial coral skeletons for installation in coral gardens
and reefs. Herein, we present an eco-friendly and sustainable approach
for coral fabrication by merging three-dimensional (3D) scanning, 3D
printing, and molding techniques. Our method, 3D CoraPrint, exploits the
3D printing technology to fabricate artificial natural-based coral
skeletons, expediting the growth rate of live coral fragments and
quickening the reef transplantation process while minimizing nursery
costs. It allows for flexibility, customization, and fast return time
with an enhanced level of accuracy, thus establishing an environmentally
friendly, scalable model for coral fabrication to boost restorative
efforts around the globe.
Keywords
coral restoration
3D printing
eco-friendly process
coral microfragmentation
limestone 3D printing
additive manufacturing
photosensitive resin