Deterrent, Amphiphilic Coating for the Mitigation of Marine Biofouling

Triton Systems, Inc. will develop a non-toxic, deterrent coating for the effective, long-lasting, and broad-spectrum mitigation of marine biofouling. Marine biofouling presents a ubiquitous problem for the U.S. Navy and causes ships to operate less efficiently, release more greenhouse gases, and require regular cleaning. Current solutions to mitigate biofouling fail to combine long-term effectiveness and non-toxicity, resulting in distinctly poor solutions and an exigent need for improved coating technologies. Triton’s technology will passively resist initial biofilm formation and deter the settlement of macroorganisms, as well as include a fouling release capability to self-clean under ship motion. The coating will be designed to maintain efficacy for at least five years with minimal environmental concerns. The resistance to biofouling in marine environments enabled by this product would alleviate the costs of biofouling mitigation, decrease greenhouse gas emissions stemming from shipping, and help ensure U.S. maritime leadership in military and civilian applications.