Thin film antifouling chemistries and quantitative interaction analysis via 3D tracking and microfluidics
Abstract
The search for non-toxic alternatives as anti-fouling coatings for the marine environment includes screening of model surface chemistries to identify suitable coating concepts. Targeted materials include hydrated interfaces, amphiphilic chemistries, zwitterionic thin films and slippery surfaces and their combination with antifouling surface topographies. To understand the relevance of the obtained laboratory data, static and dynamic field tests will be carried out. For a mechanistic understanding, 3D tracking is used to understand the microkinetic mechanism that leads to the observed colonization kinetics. The comparison of exploration and recruitment will reveal surface cues that inhibit settlement.. For a quantification of adhesion, microfluidic assays are used. Using our custom designed microfluidic platform, interaction of particles, protein coated particles, bacteria, diatoms and other microorganisms can be tested under well controlled conditions and analyzed at microscopic resolution. The combination with desorption theory will allow to accurately and quantitatively determine the adsorption energy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512324
Entities
People
- Axel Rosenhahn
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Ruhr University Bochum
- United States Navy