Theme

Science and Technology

Design and Evaluation of an Innovative Biomimetic Coral Transport Container

Title in Filipino [Pamagat ng Pananaliksik]

Disenyo at Ebalwasyon ng Innovative Biomimetic Coral Transport Container

Authors

• John-Christopher L. Calulo, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Leah D. Madrazo, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Dana Isabelle P. Villano, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Angel Nicole B. Villanueva, De La Salle UniversityFollow

Research Advisor

Leah D. Madrazo

Abstract

Coral reefs are vulnerable to disruptive human activities such as pollution, overfishing, and coastal development—degrading water quality and reef structures. Active reef restoration entails temporarily relocating several corals to aquaculture facilities to achieve successful rehabilitation; however, current coral transport methods pose certain risks, such as stress-induced mortality, which can result from physical damage during transportation. Existing studies on coral transport have explored various techniques for collecting, shipping, and maintaining live coral specimens. The design consists of petal-shaped areas where the waves gather, akin to a coral reef’s grooves, separated by wedges—the spurs—that cause waves to divide. The different design modifications were created in Blender3D software, with variations in the number and shape of the petals as well as the size of the container. The effectiveness among the variants was compared based on the water pressure and velocity in the central region of the container as measured from virtual fluid wave simulations in the online CFD platform SimScale. The data showed that the clover-shaped 3-petal variant of the container with a diameter of 1.00 m was the best at achieving the desired outcome. These results provide invaluable insights into the variables that impact internal wave attenuation mechanisms, as well as the potential applications such biomimetics may have in the ever-constant development of sustainable technology.

Abstract in Filipino [Abstrak]

Madaling maapektuhan ang coral reefs sa mga gawaing dulot ng mga tao tulad ng polusyon, overfishing, at coastal development na nakasasama sa kalidad ng tubig at estruktura ng reef. Sa aktibong reef restoration, kinakailangang ilipat pansamantala ang ilang coral sa aquaculture na pasilidad upang maging matagumpay ang rehabilitasyon; gayunpaman, may kaakibat itong mga panganib gaya ng stress-induced mortality dahil sa pisikal na pinsala habang isinasagawa ang paglipat nito. May mga naging pag-aaral na tungkol sa pamamaraan ng pagkolekta, paglipat, at pagpapanatili ng buhay na coral specimens. Binubuo ang disenyo ng mga petal-shaped na bahagi kung saan pinapadaloy ang alon, kahalintulad ng mga groove ng coral reef, na pinaghihiwalay ng mga wedge —spurs —na nagdudulot ng paghahati ng daloy ng tubig. Ang iba’t ibang bersyon ng disenyo ay binuo gamit ang Blender3D software, na may mga baryasyon sa bilang at hugis ng mga petal, pati na rin sa laki ng container. Inihambing ang bisa ng bawat variant batay sa water pressure at water velocity sa gitnang bahagi ng container, na nakuha mula sa virtual fluid wave simulations gamit ang online CFD platform na SimScale. Makikita sa mga resulta na ang clover-shaped na 3-petal na variant ng container na may diameter na 1.00 m ang pinakaepektibo sa pagkamit ng inaasahang resulta. Batay sa mga resulta, nagbibigay ito ng mas malinaw na pag-unawa sa mga salik na nakaaapekto sa internal wave attenuation mechanisms, gayundin sa potensiyal na aplikasyon ng biomimetics sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng sustainable na teknolohiya.

Recommended Citation

Calulo, J. C. L., Licuanan, W. Y., Madrazo, L. D., Villano, D. I. P., & Villanueva, A. N. B. (2025). Design and Evaluation of an Innovative Biomimetic Coral Transport Container. Sinaya, (3)1, 41–75. https://doi.org/10.59588/3027-9283.1160