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Now I know. The Netherlands built a sea wall that grows stronger every time it gets hit by waves Along the stormy Dutch coastline, engineers have unveiled a revolutionary coastal defense — a “living” sea wall that heals and strengthens itself with every tidal assault. It’s part of a bold strategy to future-proof the country against climate-driven sea rise and increasingly violent storms. The structure, called TideShell, is made from modular, interlocking blocks filled with a special limestone-seeding concrete. When hit by waves, the outer layer chips microscopically — but instead of eroding, it releases calcium ions that attract shell-building marine organisms. These creatures, including oysters and barnacles, rapidly cement the surface, forming a growing biolayer tougher than rock. What begins as raw geometry eventually turns into a living reef — wave-resistant, self-repairing, and environmentally restorative. The design mimics how coral reefs withstand hurricanes, using flexibility, redundancy, and ecosystem support rather than brute force alone. As the wall ages, it becomes biologically denser and structurally stronger. During storm surge tests in the North Sea, sections of the wall endured force equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. Instead of cracking or crumbling, they grew smoother and tougher. Within six months, biofilms had spread across 90% of the surface — drastically reducing erosion. This approach is now being tested in Venice, Singapore, and parts of coastal California. Dutch scientists believe it will reshape how the world thinks about engineering: not as resistance to nature, but as partnership with it. When concrete becomes coral, even the sea can’t break it. Credits: CTTO