The structure is built from ordinary construction materials typically available almost anywhere in the world. This can include steel rods, pipe, or rebar. Other materials necessary for the project include electrical cables and epoxy or silicone sealants to protect the electric connections. While the main structure serves as the cathode, another electrode, the anode, is a special titanium mesh that does not corrode.

To build a Biorock reef, an electrically conductive frame, usually made from readily available construction grade rebar or wire mesh, is welded together, submerged and anchored to the sea bottom. Sizes and configurations are infinite and are varied to fit the setting. A low voltage direct current is then applied. (Power sources can include chargers, windmills, solar panels or tidal current generators.

In most coral reef environments, structures sit on limestone bedrock where they eventually cement themselves solidly to the hard bottom. Usually structures are held in place against wave forces by their own weight or by filling them with rocks. In hurricane regions, where there is a tradeoff between how long it takes to get the structure solidly cemented to the bottom and when the first hurricane hits, we drill holes for vertical rebar supports; a couple of feet is usually adequate.

The longer a project runs, the more corals will grow and be protected from future hot episodes. A project can have its power turned off at any time, but then the special advantages of growth, strength, self-repair, accelerated coral growth and survival will be lost. However, once the structure is sufficiently strong, the power can be reduced to maintenance levels.

Normally we use shore based DC power sources (chargers, solar panels, windmills etc.) Because of voltage drops in the cable to the structure we prefer to work within 100 yards of the power source. But there is no problem going further if one is willing to boost the voltage at the source to compensate for voltage drops. We have a coral reef structure in the Maldives that is more than 400 meters from shore.

There is no limit to the depth. Normally we build structures in shallow water (5 to 25 feet bottom depth) because corals grow best in brightly lit shallow water, but we also try to have them deep enough that boats can't run into them.

Ultrasound travels through practically all solid materials as long as there are no air gaps. Porosity in a material will cause sound waves to become attenuated more than if the material is fully densified and this phenomenon can be used to quantify the densification such as for ceramics and powder metallurgy samples. In general the penetration of ultrasound in all solid materials is reduced at higher frequencies.

To power the mineral accretion process, a low DC voltage is necessary. The source of this current generally depends upon the environment near the reef. If a ready supply of electricity is available, cables can be attached to the structure. In more remote areas, solar collectors are usually the energy source. These panels will generally be set up on the shore to feed current to the Biorock reef via submerged cables.

Our divers never damage an existing, healthy reef to populate a Biorock structure. In all cases, we transplant broken fragments of live coral that have been damaged by waves, storms, anchors or by other means. These pieces would almost certainly die as the fragments roll over in heavy waves and become buried in sand.

Just as a gardener pulls up weeds that would overgrow the flowers, undesirable weedy organisms and certain sponges and algae that could overgrow corals are periodically removed. Organisms that kill corals, such as the crown of thorns starfish and certain coral-eating snails are eliminated. Biorock reefs also need to be periodically checked to ensure that cables and connections are intact.

In August 1999 the first of two pilot structures was placed in the reef of Sac Bajo, (next to Isla Mujeres, across from Cancun). Shaped like a triangular prism, the reef is approximately 3 meters long and 1.5 meters high. In March 2000 a second structure was placed at the same location, approximately 5 meters away from the first. This structure was named "El Doble Caracol" (twin snail shell), owing to its shape of a double spiral of steel construction mat.

There are many requests for mineral accretion projects from marine conservation groups around the world, but unfortunately there is little funding available from governments, international philanthropic agencies or private foundations. a result, most mineral accretion reefs are pilot projects that demonstrate the process. The results are so unexpectedly spectacular that one must see them directly to appreciate their value.

The top cover of the camera is made of aluminum with a die-cast aluminum chassis underlying it to secure outstanding rigidity.

In general, labels are comprised of 4 materials: laminate, ink, label face stock, label adhesive. Each of these 4 have options ranging from thickness to color and more. To determine the materials available for a specific type of label, look at the information links for that specific product.

The cards are printed using the finest quality 'Mtec' specialist 240 gsm double sided gloss/matt finish photographic card. The envelope is fuschia in colour, and bears a small 'SWL' logo on the reverse.

According to experts, platform structures are ideal (durable, stable, complex) materials because of their engineering design and construction. The rounded steel legs of the jackets provide the maximum surface area for biological growth and attachment of benthic organisms. They were also constructed to withstand the horizontal wave forces of 100-year storms. A variety of Gulf reef fish spend at least some part of their life cycle in the shadow or protection of these structures.

Global warming has caused significant reef mortality around the world. The prognosis is that oceans will continue to warm until world leaders recognize the long-term consequences of turning a blind eye to the problem. A few governments have tried to address the problem by building sea walls out of concrete, steel, coral rubble or sand bags. But these materials soon rust, corrode, collapse and need to be rebuilt.

Artificial reefs are typically made from manmade materials like sunken ships, planes, cars, concrete, rubber tires and trash. On land, this material might be called junk. Although fish will hide behind or within any structure that provides shelter and although certain sponges and soft organisms will sometimes settle on these materials, they never turn into a true coral reef.