Applications of 3D printing technologies in oceanography

Applications of 3D printing technologies in oceanography

Highlights • 3D printing applications for ecological monitoring and sample collection are discussed. • 3D printing applications in hydrodynamics, biomechanics, and locomotion studies are summarized. • 3D printing applications for tangible coral props and coral reef restoration are highlighted. • Broad impacts of plastics and specific impact of 3D printing materials are summarized. • A note of caution on the hazardous effects of some of the 3D printing materials has been discussed. Abstract 3D printers allow researchers to produce parts and concept models rapidly at low-cost and allow rapid prototyping of many designs from the comfort of their desk. 3D printing technologies have been explored for a wide range of applications including robotics, automobile components, firearms, medicine, space, etc. Owing to lower costs and increased capabilities of 3D printing technologies, unprecedented opportunities in the world of oceanography research are being created. Some examples include 3D printed components being employed in autonomous underwater (or surface) vehicles; 3D printed replicas of marine organisms being used to study biomechanics, hydrodynamics, and locomotion; and 3D printed coral reef replicas being used to restore damaged coral reefs. To the author’s knowledge, currently there is no review covering the different 3D printing technologies applied in oceanography studies. Therefore, this review presents a summary of the different 3D printing technologies that have been used in fundamental studies or real-life applications related to oceanography. The diverse range of 3D printing applications in oceanography covered in this review has been categorized under the following sub-topics: Ecological Monitoring & Sample Collection, Hydrodynamics, Biomechanics & Locomotion, Tracking & Surface Studies, and Tangible Coral Props & Coral Reef Restoration. A detailed overview of the 3D printing technologies referred to within this review has been presented, and categorized under the following four general topics: Material Extrusion, Photopolymerization, Powder Bed Fusion, and Construction Printing. The broad impact of plastics on oceans and the specific impact of 3D printing materials on ocean life are also discussed. It is anticipated that this review will further promote the 3D printing technologies to oceanographers for a better understanding and restoration of fragile marine ecosystems. Abbreviations FDMFused Deposition ModelingSLAStereolithographyNASANational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationAUVsautonomous underwater vehiclesUSVsunmanned surface vehiclesMUVsmicro underwater vehiclesCADComputer-aided design.STLSTereoLithography or Standard Triangle Language or Standard Tessellation LanguageSLSSelective Laser SinteringDLPDigital Light ProcessingCLIPContinuous Liquid Interface ProductionSLMSelective Laser MeltingEBMElectron Beam MeltingABSacrylonitrile butadiene styreneGUPPIEGlider for Underwater Problem-solving and Promotion of Interest in Engineering EducationPLApolylactic acid or polylactideCTcomputed tomographyCSIROCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationPDMSPolydimethylsiloxaneSOISustainable Oceans InternationalPEPolyethylenePPPolypropylenePVCPolyvinyl chloridePSPolystyrenePETPolyethylene terephthalatePURPolyurethane Keywords 3D printingRapid prototypingAdditive manufacturingOceanographyCoral reefEcological monitoringLocomotionBiomechanicsHydrodynamics