01 Concept
Concept¶
Enhancing Artificial Coral Reefs Using Clay 3D Printing For Optimum Larvae Attachment and Marine Biodiversity
Using advanced manufacturing technology and digital fabrication techniques to design a modular structure which aims to promote coral growth and marine biodiversity
Photo by Coral on "Approaches to Coral Reef Conservation"
For more information on my initial project proposal please check out my Implications and Applications Week.
Key Words: Bioremediation | 3D Bioprinting | Waste Materials | Regenerative BioDesign | Conservation | Parametric Architecutre | Organic Design
I have decided to adapt my proposal to be more focused on the design elements of my module as I realised trying to achieve microbial induced precipitation (MICP) would not have been feasible in the time frame, it was also proving a challenge purchasing the required bacteria. I will now be looking at how I can use modelling software such as Rhino 3D, Grasshopper and Houdini to generate a module which promotes water cooling and optimum larvae attachment. The material aspect will be focused on clay and/or calcium carbonate powder sourced from waste oyster shells.
I have partnered with a great 3D printing coral reef restoration organisation, RRReefs who have offered to take my module out to their site in the Philippines for further testing against their existing artificial reefs.
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GANTT Chart¶
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Mentoring Feedback From Presentation¶
Oscar
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Are you able to think about the possibilities of applying it to the catalan coast?
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Can the reef be for other keystone species that create habitats other than coral?
Focus on the *material development and, at the same time talk with local marine biologists to explore possibilities.
Cecilia
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Do you already have an idea of how to test this? When are you 'successful'?
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What stage of development will you be working in as these ideas usually take a long time to be tested
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How will you differ/build upon the work of others, in collaboration?
Test the material in the sea to see if it will remain intact with currents.
Claudia
Keep the project as local as possible. Some species like sponges can be found by the beach, some are actually invasive - like the poseidona oceanica and can be used for further experiments. Start by going to the bech and see what you can collect.
Rico
Pursue natural materials as your print material - crushed up seashells miced with an ocean-safe binder, then fired in a kiln to make it hard and durable. Different levels of porosity are ideal. To print complex structures such as auxetics and voronoi consider using a water soluble support. You can test your system in a salt water aquarium tank.
Paula
Research non-toxic material for printing, to avoid harming the ecosystem. Check out the book 'Seaweed Revolution' which delves into cyanobacteria and marine fauna.
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Things to check out:
The Ocean Speaks - Disseny Hub Barcelona