Accelerated Biological Laboratory Performance Testing of Non-Toxic Marine Coatings
Abstract
Efficient, expeditious, and efficaciously robust biological laboratory testing methods that offer reasonably predictive performance of materials deployed in the field are an integral component of the ONR#s Benign Antifouling and Fouling Release Materials Program, permitting novel material design spaces and cutting-edge coating concepts to be vetted for potential applicability in a timely and economically astute manner. North Dakota State University#s (NDSU) accelerated laboratory scale screening workflow employing relevant marine fouling organisms such as bacteria, microalgae and barnacles has been extensively leveraged over the past two decades to help meet this objective. This enabling capability has aided ONR-funded material developers in their efforts to optimize their material technologies and fast-track the identification and selection of promising candidates warranting advanced performance assessments in the field (i.e. static ocean immersion testing). In this regard, NDSU#s marine fouling laboratory testing workflow has been availed by 19 material development PIs since 2007 to evaluate the antifouling and fouling release efficacy of experimental coating systems, constituting 1,001 unique formulations and over 30,000 individual surfaces/replicates analyzed. Through this proposed research project, NDSU will continue to provide this essential biological testing service for the program, facilitating the efficient and effective optimization of nascent material approaches aimed at the long-term protection of seafaring vessels and other critical marine infrastructure from the detrimental effects of biofouling in a non-toxic manner to preserve operational readiness and proficiency while minimizing the impact of U.S. Navy activities on the environment, both domestically and abroad.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312199
Entities
People
- Dean C Webster
Organizations
- North Dakota State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy