The bottom of any vessel that is submerged in seawater is capable of collecting bacteria and marine organisms that have extremely negative effects on the vessels due to corrossion. The process of corrosion on the underbelly of these boats is called 'marine fouling'. It causes costly damages and equals hefty repairs. Those days could be over thanks to the engineers from the A*STAR Insititue of Chemical Engineering Sciences and Institute of Materials Research and Engineering.
According to PHYS.org the team has disovered a "methyl oxazoline polymer" that would avoid microorganisms from attaching themselves to the bottom of the vessels, it is claimed that it will also detach already prevalent microorganisms already on the vessels.
Andbanandam Parthiban, from A*STAR said, "Poly(methyl oxazoline) is the third generation of hydrophilic polymers under focus." He explained the antifouling agents as low-adhesive polymers that form hydration layers on coated surfaces. It is now using the moniker 'PMOx'.
They are now talking to prospective partners in the marine industry to implement the new PMOx coatings and potentially avoid the costly repairs that marine fouling causes.
European-Coatings says, "PMOX coatings effectively reduceStaphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli adhesion," and admit that it has "great potential" for the future of marine antifouling applications.
Read the official Journal of Photopolymer Science and Technology Vol 18 for more information
