Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > Press > Innovative anti-biofouling technologies can make shipping more eco-friendly

Abstract:
Organisms that stick to the lower structures of ships increase fuel consumption and costs of maintenance substantially. Currently, the organisms are killed with toxic biocides, but these chemicals need to be removed to protect our environment. Researchers are trying to develop environmentally friendly anti-biofouling technologies, such as nano-structured surfaces that make organisms fall off when the ships move.

Innovative anti-biofouling technologies can make shipping more eco-friendly

Italy | Posted on June 23rd, 2011

Organisms, such as algae and barnacles, sticking to the lower structure of ships are increasing the required propulsive power. It is estimated that ships' fuel consumption could be reduced by up to forty percent by removing those organisms. Erosive systems containing biocides are mainly used for this purpose. However, the use of eco-friendly alternatives such as silicon based fouling release coatings, nearly all enhanced with an oil additive, have increased lately. Researchers at GE Global Research Center in the U.S. have shown that organisms react differently to the various silicone fouling release coatings, and coating type crossed with oil type is very important when it comes to establishing an organism's attachment strength magnitude.

However, there is a need for improved eco-friendly alternatives and researchers are working on solutions. For example, scientists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have developed what they call a "low emission" approach where avermectins, a class of antibiotics, are included. Only very small amounts are released, since the substances in the coating are tightly associated with the binding matrix agent. The scientists found that 1mg avermectin/gr coating very effectively hindered adult barnacles from colonization, but a similar coating did not disturb barnacle larvae. The reason is that the barnacles first encounter the avermectin when they try to stick tighter to the surface and the avermectin then make them detach. This principle was named post settlement inhibition (PSI) because this coating only seems to influence adult barnacle growth.

Another innovation that neither involves toxic substances currently used nor nanoparticles, has been developed by researchers connected to the European Commission-funded project AMBIO (Advanced Nanostructured Surfaces for the Control of Biofouling). Their coating technology that can replace the toxic biocides technology is instead based on nano-pattering. Molecules within their innovative paint will arrange themselves in a chequeboard pattern were hydrophobic nanosized points are combined with hydrophilic nanosized points. This texture makes it very hard for algae and barnacles to hold on to the surface and the water's friction will remove them.

Although a coating alternative that do not release any toxic substances into the environment appears to be the safest choice, the AMBIO coating technology will first be studied extensively in a real world setting to make sure it has the right properties, for example that it can last five years on ships, before it can become commercially available.

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Elisabeth Schmid
Phone: + 39 02 700 25 72
Fax: + 39 02 700 25 40
E-mail:

Copyright © youris.com

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

Researchers develop artificial building blocks of life March 8th, 2024

How surface roughness influences the adhesion of soft materials: Research team discovers universal mechanism that leads to adhesion hysteresis in soft materials March 8th, 2024

Two-dimensional bimetallic selenium-containing metal-organic frameworks and their calcinated derivatives as electrocatalysts for overall water splitting March 8th, 2024

Curcumin nanoemulsion is tested for treatment of intestinal inflammation: A formulation developed by Brazilian researchers proved effective in tests involving mice March 8th, 2024

Marine/Watercraft

Strain-sensing smart skin ready to deploy: Nanotube-embedded coating detects threats from wear and tear in large structures July 15th, 2022

A sunlight-driven “self-healing” anti-corrosion coating May 27th, 2022

Quantum tech in space? Scientists design remote monitoring system for inaccessible quantum devices February 11th, 2022

Expanding the freedom of design: powder coating on FRP thanks to conductive gelcoats with graphene nanotubes March 3rd, 2021

Discoveries

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells March 8th, 2024

Researchers’ approach may protect quantum computers from attacks March 8th, 2024

High-tech 'paint' could spare patients repeated surgeries March 8th, 2024

Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024

Announcements

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells March 8th, 2024

Curcumin nanoemulsion is tested for treatment of intestinal inflammation: A formulation developed by Brazilian researchers proved effective in tests involving mice March 8th, 2024

The Access to Advanced Health Institute receives up to $12.7 million to develop novel nanoalum adjuvant formulation for better protection against tuberculosis and pandemic influenza March 8th, 2024

Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM March 8th, 2024

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project