The eConcrete® invention arose from observing the impact of coastline colonization on marine life and the fragile supporting ecosystems. With more than 50% of coastlines inhabited, the impact of coastal economic development is commensurate. Even without factoring in global warming, which will only increase sea levels, compounding soil erosion and the resulting need for more protective concrete armoring of coastlines. However, the construction of cities, ports, piers, sea walls, jetties, or shoreline armoring, is hardly mindful of marine life. Costal constructions, 70% made of concrete, are even detrimental to marine ecosystems. Detrimental, because, for example, traditional concrete is far more alkaline than the ocean, and releases chemicals into the sea. Traditional Coastal Marine Infrastructure (CMI), made of concrete, is also produced with surfaces that are far too smooth and inclined for marine flora and fauna to take hold and grow. Instead, harmful bacteria and invasive species proliferate on the concrete, destroying corals, fish, and marine ecosystems.
Thus, in response to the existing recklessness of human coastal colonization, ecologically engineered eConcrete® changes both the composition and design of concrete structures to produce responsible concrete constructions, able to support marine life, and to cooperate with nature. In contrast to the prior art, for example, the engineered hospitality of eConcrete® marine constructions enables marine flora and fauna to attach to the concrete infrastructures and to thrive, thus also creating natural bioprotection for the eConcrete® marine constructions. Bioprotection resulting from biogenic buildup, that oysters, serpulid worms, barnacles and corals deposit as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) skeletons on hard surfaces. Buildup that creates natural armoring, in turn also offering habitat for more diverse and valuable species.
A recipient of too many accolades to list, the responsible eConcrete® marine constructions are informed by three synergistic principles: 1. composition, 2. microsurface properties, and 3. three-dimensional design. Together, these principles inform stunningly and variously engineered, 3D marine concrete constructions (see image below), that are also good for the environment, marine life in particular.
The properties of eConcrete® microsurfaces, the design of three-dimensional structures, and their compositions, are all researched and patented. A patent family, in particular the family member US9538732B2, titled Methods and matrices for promoting fauna and flora growth recites the various aspects of the eConcrete® invention, together with supporting research. Research carried out to evaluate the performance of five innovative concrete matrices. Evaluation of the innovative concrete matrices' capacity to promote biodiversity, against traditional concrete, while still complying with marine construction requirements. The yearlong experiment, deployed in both the tropical Red sea waters, and the more temperate Mediterranean, showed that the new matrices had the capacity to enhance both the qualitative and quantitative growth of marine fauna and flora, without compromising concrete durability.
The invention provides a marine infrastructure comprising a concrete matrix having a pH of less than 12 for use in promoting the growth of fauna and flora in aquatic environment, and methods for promoting the growth of fauna and flora in aquatic environment, including endolitic and epilitic flora and endolitic and epilitic anaerobic and aerobic flora and fauna. [Abstract US9538732B2]
In June 2022, the eConcrete® invention was selected as one of the finalists for a European Inventor Award, in the category of non-European Patent Organization countries.
The Youtube video below shows one of the many eConcrete® projects. Specifically, this project concerns New York Harbor School students, collaborating with †Shimrit Finkel, deceased co-founder of eConcrete Tech Ltd., to restore the oyster habitat that used to thrive on the coastline, and which is capable of naturally protecting the shoreline from erosion. The urgency of the project is palpable, with memories still swaying of hurricane Sandy (Oct. 22 - Nov. 2, 2012), which wreaked havoc, closing down the school for more than a month.
eConcrete Tech. Ltd. (Israel)
https://econcretetech.com/
eConcrete Inc.
https://youtu.be/KanmayUa2ME
eConcrete Inc., Achievements in 2018.
https://youtu.be/0yDGx8KrEx4
Klinefelter, A. (Aug. 31, 2020). ECOncrete®’s co-founders on reconnecting to nature and finding inspiration for revitalizing marine ecosystems (Part 1).
https://biomimicry.org/econcretes-co-founders-on-reconnecting-to-nature-and-finding-inspiration-for-revitalizing-marine-ecosystems-part-1/
Steffen, A. D. (Feb. 28, 2021). eConcrete turns marine infrastructure into thriving natural ecosystems.
https://www.intelligentliving.co/econcrete-marine-infrastructures-thriving-natural-ecosystems/
eConcrete Inc.
https://youtu.be/KanmayUa2ME
eConcrete Inc., Achievements in 2018.
https://youtu.be/0yDGx8KrEx4
Klinefelter, A. (Aug. 31, 2020). ECOncrete®’s co-founders on reconnecting to nature and finding inspiration for revitalizing marine ecosystems (Part 1).
https://biomimicry.org/econcretes-co-founders-on-reconnecting-to-nature-and-finding-inspiration-for-revitalizing-marine-ecosystems-part-1/
Steffen, A. D. (Feb. 28, 2021). eConcrete turns marine infrastructure into thriving natural ecosystems.
https://www.intelligentliving.co/econcrete-marine-infrastructures-thriving-natural-ecosystems/
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