SBIR Phase II: Biomimetic 3D Printed Metal Mold to Mass Produce Modular, Biophilic Concrete Reef Substrate

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $1,237,446 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation (SBIR) Phase II project lies in developing an innovative artificial reef tile system designed to replicate the natural growth of oysters, serving as a surrogate reef to jumpstart reef formation. With 85% of U.S. coastal oyster habitats degraded or lost and native oyster populations severely depleted, large-scale reef restoration has become both an ecological and commercial necessity. Rising sea levels, increasingly frequent storms, and escalating damage to coastal communities highlight the urgency of restoring these critical natural barriers. This project leverages the reef-building capabilities of oysters, replicating their natural architecture and shell chemistry, to engineer mass-production molds capable of producing thousands of modular reef units daily. It also offers a smaller-scale manual press option, empowering coastal communities to create their own restoration tiles and actively participate in habitat recovery. By enabling both large-scale and community-led efforts, this technology has the potential to transform global reef restoration practices while linking marine and terrestrial ecosystems under a shared goal. Additionally, it strengthens U.S. leadership in the artificial reef market and sets new standards for restoration effectiveness, as demonstrated by ongoing Chesapeake Bay projects monitored by state and federal authorities measuring environmental and economic impacts. This project focuses

Key facts

NSF award ID
2528142
Awardee
GROW OYSTER REEFS, LLC (VA)
SAM.gov UEI
D8ECU4H4MUT5
PI
Evelyn C Tickle
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
TECH FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
Estimated total
$1,237,446
Funds obligated
$1,237,446
Transaction type
Cooperative Agreement
Period
09/15/2025 → 08/31/2027