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UFS researchers reimagine ancient stromatolites to advance Ecological Engineering Sciences

12 June 2025 | Story University of the Free State | Photo Supplied

Dr Hossein Naghizadeh and Refilwe Lediga — Collaborative innovation in action: Researchers from the University of the Free State’s Green Concrete Lab have partnered with the University of Johannesburg to advance 3D printing technologies using sustainable concrete materials. Pictured (from left): Dr Hossein Naghizadeh, Senior Lecturer in Engineering Sciences at UFS, and Refilwe Lediga, Concrete Printing Research Expert in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology at UJ.

In an ambitious and interdisciplinary effort to address today’s Grand Challenges, researchers at the University of the Free State (UFS) are exploring how nature’s oldest life forms – stromatolites – can inspire cutting-edge innovations in industrial ecology and marine conservation. Drawing from biomimicry, 3D printing, and microbial engineering, their work showcases the convergence of ecological insight with modern technology.

“One such example is replicating the structures of stromatolites – some of the earliest evidence of life - using green cement and 3D printing, the latest technology in industrial ecology,” explains Dr Jacques Maritz, Head of the Unit of Engineering Sciences at UFS.

Ancient structures, modern science

Stromatolites are layered microbial formations created by ancient cyanobacteria and date back over 3.5 billion years. These living fossils, found in fossil records and rare modern environments like Shark Bay in Australia, grow through a combination of photosynthesis, sediment trapping, and calcium carbonate precipitation. Not only do they support biodiversity, but they also play a vital role in natural carbon sequestration.

UFS researchers are harnessing the lessons from these ancient formations to address urgent environmental challenges. In particular, Dr Yolandi Schoeman, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Biogeochemistry, is leading efforts to cultivate hybrid stromatolites in controlled environments, using microbial consortia grown on 3D-printed scaffolds.

“At UFS, we are reimagining stromatolite formation through both artificial structural replication and biological cultivation, bridging industrial ecology and microbial engineering to address modern environmental challenges,” says Dr Schoeman.

Ecological engineering for reef restoration

The rapid decline of marine biodiversity and the degradation of natural reef ecosystems have prompted ecological engineers to develop innovative solutions. At the UFS Green Concrete Lab, researchers are pioneering the design of artificial reefs using 3D-printed, low-carbon geopolymer concrete – a material formulated from industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag.

Artificial reefs mimic natural reef complexity and serve as critical habitats for marine life, from fish and crustaceans to coral polyps and algae. Algae, in particular, are key to marine ecosystems due to their roles in nutrient cycling, oxygen production, and carbon capture.

“Green concrete refers to concrete that utilises alternative binders and industrial by-products, significantly reducing the environmental footprint. At UFS, we are focusing on geopolymer concrete, which eliminates the high-energy processes associated with Portland cement, while offering greater chemical resistance - ideal for marine applications,” explains Dr Abdolhossein Naghizadeh from the Unit of Engineering Sciences.

3D printing nature’s complexity

One of the challenges in artificial reef development is replicating biologically inspired geometries that support diverse marine ecosystems. Traditional construction methods often fail in this regard, but additive manufacturing, or 3D concrete printing, is providing a solution.

The UFS Green Concrete Lab, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg, is developing reef modules with intricate geometries and natural surface textures. These features support coral and algae attachment, accelerate ecological colonisation, and enhance habitat functionality. Biochar-based compost filters are also being integrated to aid algae-driven wastewater treatment.

A particularly novel avenue of research involves using 3D printing to recreate stromatolite structures. These serve as ancient blueprints for modern reef design, merging deep-time ecological understanding with advanced material science.

Biologically engineered hybrid stromatolites

In parallel to structural efforts, UFS is advancing biological approaches to stromatolite cultivation. From July 2025, researchers in the Unit of Engineering Sciences will initiate a large-scale experiment using microbial consortia in 60-litre tanks, scaling up to 1 m² hypersaline ponds. 3D-printed conical scaffolds, coated with materials such as PP-CaCO₃, hydroxyapatite, and silica gel, will accelerate microbial colonisation and lamination.

The goal: to achieve stromatolite growth of 14-16 mm in just 28 days - over 150 times faster than in nature. These hybrid systems are expected to produce 7-8 mg/L/day of oxygen, sequester carbon at 3.2 g/m²/day, and remove up to 90% of nitrates and phosphates from water. The potential applications extend from terrestrial ecosystem restoration to extraterrestrial life-support systems.

A multidisciplinary vision for sustainability

This work exemplifies the strength of interdisciplinary research at UFS, combining civil engineering, mechatronics, marine ecology, chemistry, microbiology, and digital fabrication. The Ecological Engineering Sciences stream fosters a vibrant environment for postgraduate students to develop practical, impactful solutions.

The Green Concrete Lab is central to these efforts, offering students and researchers access to advanced technologies and collaborative networks. Through their innovative work in 3D-printed green concrete and microbial systems, UFS researchers are addressing biodiversity loss, advancing sustainable construction, and contributing to the global climate agenda.

“Whether it's rethinking materials, restoring ecosystems, or redefining what concrete can be, our research is laying the foundation for a better, more sustainable world beneath the waves,” concludes Dr Maritz.

News Archive

Getting out of the dark

2015-04-28

Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Since 2008, the University of the Free State has been busy with the planning and implementation of projects to reduce the impact of load shedding. To date, the cost of these projects has run to R6 million. They have been done primarily to ensure that the academic programme does not suffer damage as a result of the increasing interruptions in the power supply that are continuing this year.

The university’s greatest concern has been the provision of emergency power to the lecture halls and laboratories.

Thus far, 35 generators are servicing 55 buildings on the three campuses of the UFS. This includes 26 generators on the Bloemfontein Campus, eight on the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State, and one generator on the South Campus in Bloemfontein. The generators are already in service, and are maintained in working order.

Since 2010, the university has also ensured that all newly-built academic buildings are equipped with emergency power supplies.

On the South Campus in Bloemfontein, the new lecture-hall building and the computer laboratory are equipped with emergency power, while the installation of emergency generators in other buildings is under way. The majority of the buildings on the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State are equipped with emergency power supplies.

In the meantime, the UFS management has approved a further R11 million for the installation of additional generators on the three campuses. A further R1.5 million has also been approved for the purchase of two mobile generators.

To extend the work already done, the main task will be the installation of more generators on the Bloemfontein Campus to ensure that lecture halls with emergency power will be available for the centrally-arranged timetables, and to ensure that more of the critical laboratories will be provided with emergency power.

There are still some important buildings and halls on the Bloemfontein Campus that must be supplied with emergency power. However, it is a costly process and must be brought into operation gradually. The further implementation of emergency power depends on the delivery of equipment. The university is also investigating alternative solutions for power provisioning, including solar power.

Generators with spare capacity are optimally deployed to satisfy the lower needs of the campus, including the Odeion, the ANNEX at Microbiology, the Stabilis ANNEX, the Agriculture Building, the UV-Sasol library, and the Francois Retief Building.

In addition, the UFS is busy on all campuses, coupling area lighting, including

street lights and pedestrian walkways, to existing generators. Procedures for the operation of mechanical equipment, such as entrance gates, lifts, and so on, are currently being dealt with on all campuses. Continuous power sources for certain ICT equipment will be installed on all campuses to protect it against power surges.

Staff and students can also equip themselves with the necessary knowledge to manage load shedding in their specific areas of work and study. It is always helpful to know who to contact. The following list with guidelines and contact numbers has been compiled to assist you:

1. In an emergency, call Protection Services. This line will continue to operate, regardless of whether the power is on or off.
2. Avoid using lifts just before planned load shedding. Some lifts have emergency power packs which will bring the lift to the nearest floor and open the doors. If you still get stuck in a lift during a power outage, use your cellphone to call Protection Services. While you're waiting, stay calm and be patient.
3. If the access control systems in your building stop working after load shedding, contact Protection Services.
4. The students and staff members who are most at risk during load shedding are those in wheelchairs or with other mobility limitations. As far as possible, plan ahead to avoid being stuck on a floor or in a room that is difficult to access when load shedding is imminent. Please contact Protection Services if you need assistance.
5. During a fire, alarms WILL go off. Alarms are not power driven, but battery driven. For assistance, contact Protection Services.
6. The main UFS Switchboard (Bloemfontein Campus +27(0)51 401 9111 and Qwaqwa Campus +27(0)58 718 5000) will continue to operate during load shedding.

Contact details of Protection Services:

Bloemfontein Campus: +27(0)51 401 2634/2911
Qwaqwa Campus: +27(0)58 508 5460/5175
South Campus: +27(0)51 5051217

Communication and Brand Management will make information available on the UFS web, Facebook page, Twitter, Blackboard and the intranet. Get the load shedding schedule from Eskom’s webpage (http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/). The Bloemfontein Campus falls in group 4 and the South Campus falls in group 2 in Centlec’s load shedding schedule.

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