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‘Natural cement’: Scientists electrocute sand to stop coastline erosion | Calculations estimate that the cost of electrically cementing one cubic meter of ground ranges from $3 to $6.

Inspired by the natural processes used by clams and mussels to build their shells, experts have developed a way to strengthen marine coastlines using electricity.

The lead author, Alessandro Rotta Loria, told Interesting Engineering (IE) that the “lack of sustainable and efficient approaches to mitigate coastal erosion” spurred this study. This innovative approach offers a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods like building sea walls or injecting cement into the ground. “The next steps of this research consist of delving deeper into a number of fundamental scientific questions and at the same time commence the scale-up of this technology.”

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