About / Research
Research
Research and development
Working with universities, aquaculture operators and conservation partners to make reefs more circular, better monitored and richer in life.
Bio-based reefs
Growing reefs on natural materials
Since 2022, we have worked with the University of Bath on bio-based materials for our hyperboloid reefs.
The BEARS project demonstrated mineral growth on coated bamboo, opening a route to reefs that use less steel. We are testing how these materials perform as rock and marine life build up around them.
Read about BEARS
(Left) CCell bio-composite (steel, bamboo and coconut coir) hyperboloid reefs on a platform in Exmouth, UK, September 2023. (Centre) Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of minerals in rock grown on bamboo. (Right) Rock growth successfully demonstrated on bamboo covered in a catalyst, Bath University, November 2023.
(Left) An illustration of the concept of acoustic beamforming, showing how hydrophones are used in marine environments. (Right) Research on bioacoustics from Dr Aaron Rice, Cornell University.
Acoustic beamforming
Listening to life on the reef
With Cornell University, Imperial College London and the Ocean Conservation Trust, we are researching how underwater sound can reveal activity on a reef.
Acoustic beamforming uses several hydrophones to locate sounds. Our aim is to track marine life remotely, alongside water measurements and dive surveys. This capability is in development.
Coral resilience
Helping corals establish
Our work with the Living Reefs Foundation in Bermuda explores how mineral accretion affects coral growth and helps corals establish on reef structures.
Tank trials let us study coral fragments under controlled conditions before testing how the approach could support wider restoration.
(Left) Coral fragments growing on mini CCell reef set-ups in tanks at the Living Reefs Foundation, July 2020. (Right) Dr Samia Sarkis leading our collaborative research on coral resilience in Bermuda.
(Left) Yield of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and other marine organisms on a CCell reef research unit placed in collaboration with Exmouth Mussels, November 2023. (Right) Dr Will Bateman holding baby mussels found settled on the reef unit, August 2023.
Native bivalves
A home for native shellfish
Oysters, mussels and scallops create habitat and filter particles from the water. They are central to our work on reefs for temperate coasts.
With aquaculture partners, we test how these organisms settle and grow on CCell units. At Exmouth, our trials recorded blue mussels and other marine life on the reef structures.
From the blog
Research updates
Technology - Mar 2022
Deciphering the wonders of science behind CCell Reefs
A post by our electrochemist Lola Gonzalez on her latest research experience
Read the postWork with us
Research that ends up in the water
Whether you are planning a project or want to collaborate on research, we would like to hear from you.