New Anti-Fouling Coatings Inspired by Shark Scale Design

University of Florida material science engineers hope to replace traditional anti-fouling coatings that leach poisonous copper into the ocean with a new coating system that uses the design pattern of sharks' scales to prevent growth of aggressive algae and impede barnacles. The Navy-sponsored project has led to the development of a coating featuring billions of tiny raised diamonds, each measuring 15 microns, or 15 thousandths of a millimeter, and containing seven raised ribs that at close examination resemble different lengths of raised horizontal bars. Laboratory tests show that the coating reduces algae spore settlement by up to 85%. Ocean testing of the new coating will begin in March 2006.

For further information: http://rgp.ufl.edu/publications/explore/v10n1/extract6.html

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