[nanoPost] Advanced nanostructured surfaces for the control of biofouling

University Spain

Current research is focused on the preparation of nanostructured metal coatings that retain their desirable mechanical properties such as hardness and corrosion resistance in a variety of environments by providing surfaces of differing surface energies and topology that can reduce the likely adhesion of fouling species. Metal composite surfaces have been shown to be effective in reducing biological adhesion by other workers by incorporating, for example, PTFE particles into the metal deposit. The Institute would be interested in extending this concept by incorporating further ranges of nano or micro sized particles into metal coatings, whose altered surface properties may be amenable to the prevention of biological adhesion.
Surfaces to be prepared would be applied onto a conducting substrate by pulsed electrochemical methods, providing a permanent and stable layer of nano or micro structured metal. Expected longevity of such a coating under factory conditions would be long and quantifiable based on the availability of corrosion and surface characterization tests. New surfaces that may be designed for a project would depend on the details of specific applications that were required by partners in a project.