Preliminary Research and Documentation

Design and build corals using 3D printers that can be installed on ocean floors.

Description

In nature, corals are formed when tiny organisms called coral polyps secrete a skeleton of calcium carbonate (limestone).  Corals and reefs are made up of thousands of polyps. 

Figure 1 - Coral Polyps

These polyps are living creatures that grow and die. When they die, they secrete a layer of calcium carbonate. The cycle repeats and over time, more layers of calcium carbonate are generated giving shape to the similar corals around them. Coral colonies can exist for very long time.

Figure 2 - Coral reef

We want to create corals artificially using 3D printing technology. Studies at many universities, (like Cambridge University), have shown that polyps prefer particular shapes when building corals and coral reefs. 3D scanning of coral samples is needed to determine what shapes are ideal for polyps to live and grow in.

Why this is important

Corals reefs are called "rainforests of the oceans". 

Coral reefs play an important role in biological productivity, including increasing population of fish and invertebrates. These reefs can also act as escape routes or hiding spaces for the smaller marine life from their predators. These reefs attract marine life by offering a habitat for them to grow.  

Coral reefs protect shorelines from storms and sand erosion. They are also a source of food and medicines and are instrumental in supporting millions of people around the world who depend on fishing and recreation businesses like diving and snorkeling.

The net economic value of the world’s coral reefs is estimated to be nearly tens of billions of U.S. dollars per year as published International Coral Reef Initiative here.

What this project needs to move forward

A team of highly talented, skilled and motivated people who can hit the ground running. We need these skills to move this project forward:

• 3D Modeler - A 3D modelling expert who can create intricate 3D models of corals based on images. We are looking for people with a passion in 2D and 3D design. You should have proficiency in one or more tools given below in each segment
  • 3D Software - Experience in 3DS Max, Maya, Blender, Sketch, other
  • Graphics software - Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Corel Draw, other
  • Image Editing - Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, other
• 3D Print Specialist - People who have a passion 3D printing and have worked on printing intricate 3D objects based on 3D models. Hands-on experience with 3D printing technology is essential. 
• Chemistry Majors - Contributors with a passion for playing with chemicals like calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate. Students must be passionate about researching the chemical reactions that occur in the sea water that results in the hardening of calcium carbonate and the effect of highly saline water on the crystals.
• Marine Biology Majors - Contributors with a sharp sense to study and preserve marine biology and eco-system. This is an  exciting opportunity to get to know how coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea. You will also get a sneak peek about the Saya  de Malha expedition.
• Architect/Structural Engineer - Contributors who are highly skilled in structural design. Ideally, this person must be able to plan and collaborate with the team to build strong living spaces for polyps and other marine life to escape or hide from predators or create a living space for themselves.

Incentives

Highlights of working on this project

• Collaborate with talented people from different domains and areas of study and expertise
• Build a strong team with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Learn project management, project reporting, delivery cycles
• Work in a highly energized environment that focuses on high quality product development
• Discover, learn, innovate, and invent new ways for preserving and growing marine life
• Have fun in a super charged team of professionals students, collaborators, sponsors

For Contributors

• Remuneration - This is not a sponsored project. You will get credits, honorable mentions and a Certificate of Contribution from Ocean Builders.
• Learning - This project offers you opportunities to learn about this concept/topic/technology. You will get to collaborate and work with industry experts and professionals who will share their experiences and guide you along with their best practices.
• Culture - Work with people from different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities and get exposure to working on cross-functional and virtual teams.
• Get Your Hands Dirty - Roll up your sleeves and get practical on this project. Experience the joy of designing or building a machine/system/device that will be used by millions of people worldwide. If you are not co-located, video conference with your team and collaborate.
• Build and Grow your Professional Network - Collaborate on this project, make friends, and grow your professional network.

For Sponsors

• Top Talent - Work with talented people and find new recruits for your business as you see this project take shape.
• Goodwill - Get positive goodwill for your brand as a sponsor who is building something innovating and contributing to the future.
• Personal and Business Use - Use this system and technology for your home/boat/ship/company/organization
  Branding - Brand it with your organization identity.
• Monetize - Invest in his project and take it to market with your brand identity

For Users

• Get involved in the design phase and share your thoughts on how you would use this product or technology in your daily lives.
• Give feedback at regular intervals and development stages to help this team to design and build a user-friendly system or technology.
• Work with people from different countries, cultures, backgrounds and experiences. It's fun!

Academia

Get Recognition - Participate as an academician/student and contribute to research papers, college projects and participate in local, state, national, and international academic or technical conferences. Present papers on the innovations and advancements that have been made.

All of the above

Ocean Builders invites you to be a part of this project. You can be a sponsor, a contributor, a user, an academician AND you can be all of the above.