Antifouling properties

Biofouling is the accumulation of unwanted material on a surface and more particularly of living organisms in an aquatic environment. It is particularly a problem for immersed devices such as boat hulls, pipes or wind turbines. In order to limit this unwanted fouling, submerged surfaces are covered with an antifouling paint, the effectiveness of which currently depends on the presence of biocides. Although some extremely toxic compounds such as tributyltin have rightly been banned from their composition, most current antifouling paints contain a cocktail of substances that are harmful to marine species.

Materia Nova is therefore implementing antifouling solutions through the development of materials or coatings that incorporate molecules with repellent properties or through original microstructures that prevent living organisms from adhering and gripping.

We offer

• a multidisciplinary approach that combines expertise in materials, surface coatings and biotechnology to develop innovative antifouling solutions and test their effectiveness.
• methods for detecting biofilm formation in order to identify the formation of biofilm at an early stage and to develop an automated screening of lubricant solutions.