INITIAL FOULING OF NONTOXIC COATINGS IN FRESH, BRACKISH, AND SEA-WATER

Objectives of this project were to evaluate benefits - over the short term - that might derive from control of the surface properties of materials used in energy transfer devices; and to identify preferred ranges of surface parameters that might be specified to minimize deposits of biological fouling known to deteriorate energy exchange efficiencies in seawater, brackish water, and freshwater systems. By modifying the surface chemistry and surface energy of test plates with very thin coatings (nontoxic) and examining the acquired films at various time intervals, the earliest events of biofouling caused by macromolecules and microbial organisms were defined. Overall, the results were remarkably similar for all systems tested in showing that deliberate modification of the initial material surface qualities can significantly reduce the retention of biofouling layers.