Antifouling Optical Coatings
Abstract
The proposed project is intended to address the Navys increase in Fleet reliance on autonomous vehicles and other remote and/or unm anned platforms. Subsystems of interest include those with windows or surfaces requiring light transmission and/or optical clarity a nd include cameras, imaging systems (high and low resolution), lasers, photovoltaic cells, sensors (UV/VIS/spectrometers, water colu mns/turbidity), and other optical windows. A need exists to identify and test existing transparent coating technologies/capabilities that can effectively mitigate the negative impacts of biofouling. As a leading producer of optical grade monomers and coatings use d in the manufacture of eyeglass lenses, PPG has deep expertise in materials development for the ophthalmic industry, from originati ng plastic lenses with PPG CR-39 monomer to offering a full suite of PPG HI-GARD lens coatings. In addition, PPGs Protective and Marine Coatings product portfolio includes a range of commercially available antifo mbine existing lens protection knowledge with antifouling strategies to develop both transparent and/or optically clear coatings for lenses for use in autonomous/unmanned platforms. The assembled team from PPGs Optical Monomers and Coatings R&D has significant re levant experience in the field of optical coatings and possesses all necessary facilities and equipment to execute the proposed proj have good shelf life and pot-life stability and chemical resistance, and are compatible with all common lens materials, in particula r polycarbonate and acrylic. Because they are made for ophthalmic applications, they have clarity and transmittance built in, making them excellent candidates for the proposed sensor lens application. The proposed project will investigate the antifouling performan ce of these baseline coatings with additional antifouling agents to be incorporated into the system formulation to maximize effectiv eness of the coating strategy. A wide variety of antimicrobial agents could be considered for use as an additive to the sensor prote ctive coatings, but a variety of factors would need to be considered. After passing initial standard PPG optical tests, PPG will scr een antifouling coating combinations for biofouling response using accelerated methods. System formulations will then be evaluated f or long-term stability. The binder matrix of the coating formulations will be adjusted to allow controlled release rate of antifouli ng agents and any potential compatibility or hardness issues will be addressed. Throughout formulation and design, consideration wil l be given to initial coating application and maintenance requirements, with the ability to remove coatings that have exhausted biof ouling properties and re-apply in the field being considered ideal.After PPGs formulation, screening, and down-selection of promisi ng antifouling coating system candidates, optimized antifouling coatings formulations will be applied to substrate panels by PPG and provided for lab testing at the Naval Research Laboratory. PPG will submit samples for NRL performance testing at least once per ac tive year of the project. A down-select, based on the condition of the coating, clarity, transmittance, and degree of biofouling, wi ll determine which coatings will be tested in the field at Florida Institute of Technology under exposure to a marine environment.Th e outcome of the 24 month base period of performance with additional option year will be a system solution of antifouling coating an d primer (if necessary) that has advanced from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) beginning at TRL1 to ending TRL3-4.PPG Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 07, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112609
Entities
People
- Matthew Faber
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- PPG Industries
- United States Navy