Combating bio-fouling of sensors and environmental platforms in the marine environment

Bio-fouling is a ubiquitous natural process whereby organisms such as bacteria, algae or invertebrates form a living biological layer, typically at the interface between a solid surface and an aqueous environment. The build up of biofouling is a process that can impair the function of many artificial mechanical devices across a number of different disciplines, ranging from medicine to engineering and marine transport. This work shows the development of novel materials based on bio-inspired design and novel polymeric coatings for prevention of anti-fouling on sensor housings. Results of tested anti-fouling coatings are presented. The effect of topographic features is shown to impact on the settlement of diatoms in the early stages of biofilm formation. Novel polymeric coatings show promise in prevention of bacterial attachment. The results from the deployment of antifouling materials together with real-time water quality data from the test site is shown.