Transparent, biocide-based antifouling coatings (for solar cells and sensors)
Abstract
The present project aims at designing a transparent, antifouling coating for use on solar cells and sensors on underwater drones or unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). Our vision of a product is based on existing self-polishing antifouling coating technology, in combination with new specialized raw materials and formulation principles. Overall, the goal of the coating is to maintain 80% UV a nd visible light transmission, while staying essentially free of seawater biofouling for at least three months of static immersion.T he main technical approaches involve formulating to proper application and film formation, following the transparency development du ring seawater immersion, ensuring adequate coating polishing and biocide leaching rates, securing mechanical properties, and evaluat ing the long term biofouling resistance in real seawater at sites in Denmark and USA. To reach a prototype product in the two years available, coating formulationoptimization will be an ongoing and recurring activity throughout the project. If successful for the present target application (transparency and biofouling resistance), the new coating formulation may be further developed to also e nsure optical transparency, where close to 100 % light transmission is required. The coating will be developed in CoaST at DTU Chemi cal Engineering, Denmark, which is a university research group focused on formulation, testing, and modelling of coatings for the he avy duty industry.Project summary (approved for public release)
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 07, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112746
Entities
People
- Sren Kiil
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Technical University of Denmark
- United States Navy