Student Article
3D-Printed Terracotta Reefs Offer New Hope for Saving Coral Ecosystems
Reef (noun): A ridge made of coral where many sea animals live.
Model (noun): A system or thing used to understand or predict something.
Terracotta (noun): A type of clay that hardens when heated.
Kiln (noun): A special oven used to bake clay.
Coral reefs are called the “rainforests of the sea” because they are home to many sea creatures. Fish, crabs, tiny animals, and even plants all live in these reefs. But many coral reefs are dying because of warming oceans.
A creative solution using clay and printers
Scientists in Israel came up with a smart way to help. They take pictures of healthy coral reefs underwater and turn them into computer models.
How 3D reefs are made
Then they use special 3D printers to make coral shapes out of clay called terracotta. When the clay is fired in a hot oven called a kiln, it turns hard like coral skeletons and keeps tiny holes that sea creatures like.
Testing the fake reefs in the sea
The team puts these fake reefs in the sea to see if real coral and sea animals will move in. So far, it’s working! Coral, soft corals, and other sea life are starting to live on the clay.
Helping coral reefs around the world
These reefs were tested in the Red Sea, and the team hopes to help coral reefs all over the world. Anyone with the right tools can use the same method to help save coral reefs in other places, too!
© Jason Goodyer / Our Media
Reef (noun): A ridge made of coral where many sea animals live.
Model (noun): A system or thing used to understand or predict something.
Terracotta (noun): A type of clay that hardens when heated.
Kiln (noun): A special oven used to bake clay.