SECORE

SECORE (Sexual Coral Restoration), is a leading conservation organization for the restoration of coral reefs who has been developed substrates (3d printing seeding units) on which coral larvae can be settled and then be easily delivered to the reef. The substrates were designed to be self stabilizing, meaning they do not need to be manually attached to the reef when outplanted, but get caught in the reef bed by their 3D-shape. Also they encourages larval settlement in particular areas of the unit through surface features like groove and micro-ledges, which also protect the settlers as they mature. Self stabilizing coral settlement substrates have the potencial to significantly reduce the cost of restoration.

The special knowhow for the design and production of the artificial seed units is contributed by Boston Ceramics, a member of FIT Additive Manufacturing Group and specialized in the 3D printing of ceramics in bionic design. Seven prototypes of different shape and surface have been 3d printed for testing during one year in Curaçau, Bahamas, Mexico and Guam.

Local: Caribbean coast
Year: 2018
AM Technology: Binder jetting
Material: Ceramics

Link of the original project