An interdisciplinary team from Cornell University is developing a pioneering technology for 3D printing concrete underwater, with the potential to transform the construction and repair of maritime infrastructure. The project, led by Professor Sriramya Nair, responds to a challenge by DARPA to create printable concrete several meters deep in just one year.

As reported by Cornell University, the team has adapted its mixtures to resist continuous exposure to water and avoid washout, one of the main obstacles of underwater printing. Tests on water tanks have made it possible to adjust the pumpability, cohesion and ability to maintain the shape layer by layer. In addition, DARPA requires that the material incorporate mostly sediment from the seabed, reducing dependence on transported cement.

To address the complexity of the process, the group has created sub-teams specialized in materials and manufacturing, and has developed sensors capable of monitoring printing in real time in low-visibility environments. The final phase of the challenge will culminate in March, when several teams will have to print a submerged bow in a joint demonstration.

According to the researchers, this technology could represent a turning point in maritime construction, allowing for more efficient, sustainable interventions adapted to ocean environments.