Shark-Inspired Boat Surface

Reported May 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- In the boating industry, a huge problem exists that can be summed up in three words -- algae, barnacles and slime. Until now, the only way to prevent these organisms from growing was toxic paint. But researchers are studying a more natural approach that's inspired by the ocean's fiercest predator.

In movies, they're the enemy, but in the world of science, sharks are allies.

Materials engineer Tony Brennan, Ph.D., of University of Florida in Gainesville, uses shark skin as a model for creating new surfaces. "The shark scales have a roughness that approximates the roughness that we had predicted would be a good roughness to stop adhesion," he says.

Dr. Brennan designed the surfaces to prevent algae and barnacles from growing on boats. He says, "We started making surfaces that are mimicking the shark's skin."

A computer program helped researchers create the pattern and structure...

"Whatever we can draw, we can make into a surface," says UF graduate student, Jim Schumacher.

And just like shark skin, spores can't fit in the ridges and don't want to balance on top of the surface Dr. Brennan and his team designed in the lab. "That's a tremendous benefit to energy consumption, dollars and maintenance," Dr. Brennan says.

Getting rid of those barnacles and other organisms would mean less cleaning and not having to drag around the extra weight would lower fuel costs.

"If it's effective, it would tremendously affect the industry," Emerson says.

When the surface hits the market in the next year, it could impact private boaters and Navy vessels, too. Researchers are also studying the shark-coated surface for medical applications.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Tony Brennan, Ph.D.
Materials Science and Engineering
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
(352) 392-6281
abrennan@mse.ufl.eduhttp://www.napa.ufl.edu/2005news/marinecoating.htm


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