WHAT WE DO
We leverage 3D printing and biodegradable polymers to develop innovative tools for coral reef restoration. By combining material science with coral biology and field-based research, we design and test restoration substrates that support coral settlement, growth, and reef complexity. Our work bridges laboratory and field research with in-water restoration, allowing us to rapidly iterate, refine, and scale solutions.
Every project is guided by our mission to enhance coral restoration outcomes.
Research
Our work is guided by the principle that restoration should be evidence based, adaptive, and ecologically integrated. We prioritize experimental design, measurable outcomes, and collaboration to ensure that restoration efforts are effective, scalable, and responsible.
At Save A Coral Foundation, our research program is designed to generate actionable science that directly improves coral reef restoration outcomes. We integrate controlled experiments, in-water field trials, and interdisciplinary collaboration to test innovative tools and methods under real reef conditions to maximize restoration results.
Ongoing Research Projects
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Effects of PHA on Coral Recruitment
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Microbial Composition of PHA Biofilm in Marine Environments
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Drivers of PHA Degradation
Upcoming Research Projects
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Effects of Texture on Microbial Composition of PHA Biofilm
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CCA Seeding on PHA Restoration tools
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Dynamics of Aragonite Deposition on PHA Substrates by Stony Corals
Innovation
Our innovations center on the use of 3D printing and reef friendly substrates to create task-specific tools for coral restoration and marine research. We design restoration technologies that bolster marine ecosystems and intervene at critical bottlenecks in coral life history by supporting settlement, growth, and survival. The best part? They safely biodegrade once their role is complete.
Using PHA and other ecologically conscious substrates, we develop alternatives to commonly used marine fieldwork materials, as well as novel restoration tools such as settlement tiles, coral mimics, modular reef surfaces, and anti-predation devices. This approach reduces plastic waste while enabling rapid prototyping, field testing, and refinement of restoration strategies. By pairing material science with ecological research, our innovations aim to be both effective and environmentally responsible.
Restoration
Our restoration work happens where research and innovation transform into action. Guided by peer-reviewed science and real-world data, we work in our lab and directly on reefs to support restoration outcomes and inform our designs.
Using tools developed through our research, we place, monitor, and maintain restoration structures in natural reef environments. We return to these sites over time to track how corals grow and how reefs respond, using what we learn to improve future efforts. This hands-on, adaptive approach ensures our restoration work stays effective, responsible, and rooted in measurable outcomes.