27/05/2025
Scientists in Australia are using 3D-printed coral structures to revive dying reefs.
In a bold step toward coral reef restoration, Australian nonprofit Reef Design Labs (RDL) has deployed the Maldives' first 3D-printed artificial reef using its Modular Artificial Reef Structure (MARS).
Built from ceramic blocks that divers can assemble underwater by hand, the MARS system mimics the intricate contours of natural reefs, providing ideal surfaces for coral fragments to grow and creating shelters for marine life.
While this technology won't reverse widespread coral bleaching or ocean acidification, it offers a scalable, research-driven tool for targeted restoration in vulnerable ecosystems.
Led by entrepreneur Alex Goad, RDL is exploring how 3D printing can support reef regeneration, coastal protection, and marine biodiversity.
Each reef installation doubles as a scientific platform to study coral attachment methods and heat-tolerant species. Amid rising ocean temperatures that have decimated reefs in places like the Maldives and Australia, MARS presents a rare bright spot: a customizable, community-friendly solution for rebuilding marine habitats — one block at a time.
learn more
https://www.reefdesignlab.com/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0041-2
