Transparent AF / FR Coatings Program: Candidate Field Testing and the Development of Active Solutions
Abstract
Instrumentation deployed in the ocean for an extended period of time will foul. Optical sensors, communication devices, solar cells, and video devices become unreliable once this fouling becomes established. Even low-form, low coverage fouling can result in significant impacts to data and the functionality of the instrumentation. One possible solution is the application of a transparent coating, which will still provide the clarity needed for routine measurements but prevent biofouling accumulation. While these coatings may help to slow-down the growth of biofouling, they may also require additional treatment such as mechanical wiping or ultraviolet (UVC) dosing. This proposal seeks to assist the ONR Transparent Coatings program in selecting top performing coating candidates through field testing and to investigate mechanical and UVC solutions which can optimize their performance during longer periods of immersion. The Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) will assist with field testing to down select candidates from a pool of commercially available and novel formulations of transparent coating. In addition, FIT will build upon prior research experience which has investigated biofouling prevention using grooming and UVC in synergy with marine coatings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112198
Entities
People
- Geoffrey W Swain
Organizations
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy