page_title: Biofouling
section_title: Anti-fouling
hierarchical_section_title: Biofouling / Anti-fouling
caption_attribution_description: English: General idea of coating foulings: (A) untreated coating, (B) coating loaded with biocide, and (C) non-toxic coating
context_page_description: Biofouling or biological fouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on wetted surfaces that have a mechanical function, causing structural or other functional deficiencies. Such accumulation is referred to as epibiosis when the host surface is another organism and the relationship is not parasitic.
  Antifouling is the ability of specifically designed materials and coatings to remove or prevent biofouling by any number of organisms on wetted surfaces. Since biofouling can occur almost anywhere water is present, biofouling poses risks to a wide variety of objects such as medical devices and membranes, as well as to entire industries, such as paper manufacturing, food processing, underwater construction, and desalination plants.
  Specifically, the buildup of biofouling on marine vessels poses a significant problem. In some instances, the hull structure and propulsion systems can be damaged. The accumulation of biofoulers on hulls can increase both the hydrodynamic volume of a vessel and the hydrodynamic friction, leading to increased drag of up to 60%.
context_section_description: Anti-fouling is the process of preventing accumulations from forming. In industrial processes, bio-dispersants can be used to control biofouling. In less controlled environments, organisms are killed or repelled with coatings using biocides, thermal treatments, or pulses of energy. Nontoxic mechanical strategies that prevent organisms from attaching include choosing a material or coating with a slippery surface, creating an ultra-low fouling surface with the use of zwitterions, or creating nanoscale surface topologies similar to the skin of sharks and dolphins, which only offer poor anchor points.
caption: (A) Untreated surface, (B) biocide loaded coating that repels or kills (C) Non stick surfaces
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