Consulting Services for the Evaluation of Biofouling Technologies and the Development of Best Practi

Abstract

The US Navy requires long-term immersion optically clear biofouling control solutions for oceanographic instrumentation. The US Navy, can also utilize translucent coatings for applications requiring some light transmission but without the need for true optical clar,ity. The term optically clear is defined as high levels of light transmission with minimal distortion. Translucent is the transmis,sion of light with some scattering and is suitable to photovoltaic cells and otherspecific sensor applications. These requirements n,ecessitate the rigorous evaluation of existing and near-term technologies capableof meeting this Navy need. The integration of prese,nt and near-term technologies as well as the development of best practices for biofouling control are critical components of Navy ob,jectives. Translucent coatings are commercially available while optically clear coatings should be considered a near-term technology,.The proposed work is intended to review, enhance and clarify the testing protocols and results proscribed by the Office of Naval Re,search (ONR), the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), The Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), Severn Marine Technologies (SMT) and a,ny other Navy commands. These results will be used to enhance Navy programs and practices. An important component of the proposed wo,rk will be comparing SMT testing assays and protocols with NRL testing protocolsto ensure continuity of previous Navy testing and to, ensure the best protocols are identified. Any tests performed by SMT will be carried out with ONR, NRL and FIT consultation to ensu,re that this work complements all the Navy efforts conducted by these groups.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jul 13, 2022
Source ID
N000142212538

Entities

People

  • Henry Lobe

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Systems Analysis and Design