Shark inspired paint may prevent barnacles.
University of Florida engineers have developed an environmentally friendly coating for hulls of ocean-going ships based on an unlikely source of inspiration: the shark.
UF materials engineers tapped elements of sharks’ unique scales to design the new coating, which prevents the growth of a notoriously aggressive marine algae and may also impede barnacles, according to preliminary tests.
If more extensive testing and development bear out the results, the shark-inspired coating – composed of tiny scale-like elements that can actually flex in and out to impede growth – could replace conventional antifouling coatings. These coatings prevent marine growth but also leach poisonous copper into the ocean.
“The copper paints are wonderful in terms of keeping the ship surface clean, but they are poisonous and they accumulate at substantial rates in harbors,” threatening marine life, said Anthony Brennan, a UF professor of materials science and engineering and the lead developer of the coating. “By contrast, there are no toxins associated with our surface.”
I don’t see why sharks should be an “unlikely” source of inspiration. I mean, they’ve “only” been around for something like 300 million years or so, I’d say that they’ve gotten this whole being in the ocean bit figured out by now.