New Anti-Biofouling Technology “SLIPS” into Action
Biofilm buildup on marine infrastructure forces ships to use more fuel and pay for more maintenance, and most solutions are harsh and dangerous for the environment. As a more environmentally-friendly solution, chemists are currently looking into SLIPSs.
Dried algae and rusty metal on a boat ramp. Photo by W.carter, via Wikimedia Commons. Biofouling is a process that occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, form communities and adhere to surfaces. These communities are called biofilms, and once established, they often spread rapidly and expand onto other surfaces. Biofouling can create many problems for the environment and man-made structures as it interferes with and accelerates the degradation of infrastructure, such as plumbing and shipping. For example, marine biofouling occurs when biofilm on a ship accumulates, followed by other surface marine organisms, like algae and barnacles, causing ships to use...