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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Biofouling and Corrosion Study for a Novel Linear Guided Wave Energy Converter (Post Access Report)

The overall objective of this project was to examine the reliability and performance of antibiofouling coatings used for a wave energy converter (WEC) developed by E-Wave Technologies. The particular coatings were selected for their low toxicity and potential compatibility with aquaculture. The aim of this work was to 1) test coating solutions to prevent biofouling growth and saltwater corrosion on the static (paddle and attachment frame surface) components of the WEC that are submerged, 2) determine adhesion of the coatings to system components, and 3) assess the ease and effectiveness of biofouling cleaning to insure long term performance of the system. An analysis of commercial coatings was performed using methods to examine the prevention of biofouling and coating adhesion properties on two key materials of the WEC, which were 316L low carbon marine grade stainless steel (SS) and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (PE). Three marine antifouling paints were selected based on their unique properties to test how different paint styles perform on different materials. The selected paints were ePaint Ecominder self-polishing paint with Zinc Omadine for slime control, Pettit ECO HRT Copper-Free ablative antifouling with Econea biocide, and Intersleek 1100SR foul release. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) prepared PE and SS substrates coated with the three paints and compared the performance against uncoated substrates when submerged in raw seawater for 3-, 6-, and 9-month (m) time periods. Results in adhesion testing indicated that Pettit and ePaint materials clearly bonded strongly to SS, but did not bond comparably well to PE. It was noted during adhesion testing that the Intersleek surfaces were especially difficult to test as the paint highly resists bonding to the epoxy adhesives used with the adherence testing platform. The wear rate of the coatings was not measured under this study; however, based on adhesion testing, coatings in the sliding regions of the Ewave device are expected to wear rapidly. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) evaluated the adhesion of three different paints to PE and SS substrates which were exposed to a marine environment for time intervals of 0, 3, 6, and 9 months. From qualitative visual analysis of the 3 in2 coupons when pulled from the tank, the 3 in2 coupons generally only appeared to have biofouling consisting of filamentous algae or diatoms, which all have relatively low mass and can be easily wiped from the surface of coupons. Qualitative visual analysis indicated that ECO HRT and Unpainted were consistently worse than Intersleek and Ecominder at all time points. Results provide insight to aid with down-selection of commercial coatings under static conditions to support reliability of the WEC and potential maintenance schedules. This investigation was conducted using small coupon samples suspended in seawater and the development of testing rigs for dynamic component level testing is needed for future work. In addition, the potential toxicity of these commercial coatings on aquaculture has not been determined by this study. One recommendation is to conduct toxicity investigations at the Environmental Toxicity Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Slippery Lubricant-Infused Silica Nanoparticulate Film Processing for Anti-Biofouling Applications

Microbial biofilm build-up in water distribution systems can pose a risk to human health and pipe material integrity. The impact is more devastating in space stations and to astronauts due to the isolation from necessary replacement parts and medical resources. As a result, there is a need for coatings to be implemented onto the inner region of the pipe to minimize the adherence and growth of biofilms. Lubricant-infused surfaces has been one such interesting material for anti-biofouling applications in which their slippery property promotes repellence to many liquids and thus prevents bacterial adherence. Textured and porous films are suitable substrate candidates to infuse and contain the lubricant. However, there is little investigation in utilizing a nanoporous thin film as the substrate material for lubricant infusion. A nanoporous film has high porosity within the structure which can promote greater lubricant infusion and retention. The implementation as a thin film structure aids to reduce material consumption and cost. In our study, we utilized a well-studied nanoporous thin film fabricated via layer-by-layer assembly of polycations and colloid silica and calcination for greater stability. The film was further functionalized to promote fluorinated groups upon the surface and pores of the film, which then could interact with a fluorinated lubricant. The pristine nanoporous film was characterized to determine its morphology, thickness, wettability, and porosity. The lubricant-infused film was then tested for its lubricant layer stability upon various washing conditions and its performance against bacterial biofilm adherence as a result of its slippery and thus anti-biofouling property.

biofilm↗
DOE OSTI2025

TEAMER Technical Support on Biofouling and Corrosion for E-Wave Technologies LLC Novel (Abstract)

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia (NTESS) in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and with guidance from E-Wave, will assess corrosion and biofouling challenges specific to E-Wave’s innovative WEC designed to retrofit into and power existing aquaculture farm infrastructure from ocean waves. The teams will examine coatings via a static raw seawater test and determine the efficacy of coatings for E-Wave’s applications. Samples will include panels of materials provided by E-Wave and coated with three different paint treatments. Fouling will be determined using a staining technique followed by photographic analysis to evaluate fouling intensity on the surface. Materials will also be weighed before and after submersion to facilitate weight change analysis resulting from fouling organisms aggregating on the materials.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRS1997

Field Evaluation of Anti-Biofouling Compounds on Optical Instrumentation

Biofouling has been a serious question in the stability of optical measurements in the ocean, particularly in moored and drifting buoy applications. Many investigators coat optical surfaces with various compounds to reduce the amount of fouling; to our knowledge, however, there are no objective, in-situ comparative testing of these compounds to evaluate their effectiveness with respect to optical stability relative to untreated controls. We have tested a wide range of compounds at in-situ locations in Halifax Harbour and in the Adriatic Sea on passive optical sensors. Compounds tested include a variety of TBT formulations, antifungal agents, and low-friction silicone-based compounds; time-scales of up to four months were evaluated. The results of these experiments are discussed.

McLean, Scott↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mitigation of Biofouling in Plant Watering Systems Using AgXX, a Novel Surface Treatment

The development of plant growth systems with high yields and low maintenance for food production is a key focus area for NASA. One of the remaining technical challenges is keeping the plant watering systems clean without affecting plant growth, requiring consumables, or demanding crew time. Plant watering systems, such as the one onboard the International Space Station (ISS), provide a nutrient rich environment for biofilm formation. Frequent maintenance is necessary to prevent biofouling, which currently requires crew time and a mechanical means of cleaning. Better solutions are needed. The current ISS practices for biofilm mitigation in the water recovery and distribution system include the use of biocides (silver ion or iodine) along with regular maintenance (e.g. flushing, filter replacement). These biocide-based strategies could be problematic for plant watering systems, such as in Ohalo, the Exploration Garden, and the APH, due to incompatibilities of the biocides with plants. We propose the application of AgXX, a novel antifouling surface treatment that meets the above requirements. This paper will report on an initial study that was completed to determine whether AgXX would be effective in a plant nutrient solution, and whether it would negatively impact plant growth in a hydroponics-type system.

Tesia D. Irwin↗
NASA NTRS2011

Self-Cleaning Coatings and Materials for Decontaminating Field-Deployable Land and Water-Based Optical Systems

This technology exploits the organic decomposition capability and hydrophilic properties of the photocatalytic material titanium dioxide (TiO2), a nontoxic and non-hazardous substance, to address contamination and biofouling issues in field-deployed optical sensor systems. Specifically, this technology incorporates TiO2 coatings and materials applied to, or integrated as a part of, the optical surfaces of sensors and calibration sources, including lenses, windows, and mirrors that are used in remote, unattended, ground-based (land or maritime) optical sensor systems. Current methods used to address contamination or biofouling of these optical surfaces in deployed systems are costly, toxic, labor intensive, and non-preventative. By implementing this novel technology, many of these negative aspects can be reduced. The functionality of this innovative self-cleaning solution to address the problem of contamination or biofouling depends on the availability of a sufficient light source with the appropriate spectral properties, which can be attained naturally via sunlight or supplemented using artificial illumination such as UV LEDs (light emitting diodes). In land-based or above-water systems, the TiO2 optical surface is exposed to sunlight, which catalyzes the photocatalytic reaction, facilitating both the decomposition of inorganic and organic compounds, and the activation of superhydrophilic properties. Since underwater optical surfaces are submerged and have limited sunlight exposure, supplementary UV light sources would be required to activate the TiO2 on these optical surfaces. Nighttime operation of land-based or above-water systems would require this addition as well. For most superhydrophilic self-cleaning purposes, a rainwater wash will suffice; however, for some applications an attached rainwater collector/ dispenser or other fresh water dispensing system may be required to wash the optical surface and initiate the removal of contaminates. Deployment of this non-toxic,non-hazardous-technology will take advantage of environmental elements (i.e. rain and sunlight), increase the longevity of unattended optical systems, increase the amount of time between required maintenance, and improve the long-term accuracy of sensor measurements.

Ryan, Robert↗
DOE OSTI2024

Insights into Probing the Effect of Molecular Weight of Poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) on the Performance of Forward Osmosis Desalination

Zwitterionic polymers have proven to be a promising nonfouling material that can be applied in the design of selective layers of thin film composite (TFC) membranes. Extending the permeability and usage of TFC membranes have attracted increasing interest in membrane-based desalination processes since water-flux reduction associated with biofouling nowadays persists as a common challenge. By virtue of its strong hydration, this polymer category is very useful to counteract biofouling in marine and biomedical systems, but the benefits from their application in membrane technology are still emerging. The efficacy of the nonfouling property as a function of the polymer’s molecular weight remains unknown. In pursuit of that vision, this study fosters new scientific insights via probing different molecular weights of poly(carboxybetain methacrylate) (PCBMA) coated on the surface as a selective layer for the prepared TFC membranes. The coated zwitterionic membranes (zM) exhibited excellent performance in preventing water flux decay in a bench-scale forward osmosis system. The prepared zM membranes revealed enhanced hydrophilic properties and retained their operational water flux when compared to the control. Our results suggest that using an intermediate-size molecular weight (PCBMA M n 50,000) will result in the best operational performance. The intermediate size resulted in the lowest flux decline rate (R t ) of 0.01 ± 0.001 (zM-50) when compared to the unmodified control membrane 0.56 ± 0.071 (M0) after using a model BSA foulant solution. Furthermore, all coated membranes exhibited similar trends in the observed reverse salt flux profiles, as well. In conclusion, the constructed zM membranes will serve as a model to develop further selective layers in the construction of TFC membranes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Enhancing Lifetime and Reducing Costs for Fish Diversion Netting Structures (Final Report)

In this effort Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) developed and demonstrated an anti-fouling coating that is effective on fish diversion structures. The coating was based on a previously developed superhydrophobic lubricant infused composite (SLIC) coating but modified for application to flexible substrates. We showed that the new reformulated coating – FlexiSLIC – can be applied to flexible fibrous structures to significantly reduce biofouling of netting and anchor lines, to enable longer operational lifetimes, reduced costs, and more reliable operations. The coating developed in this effort was tested on relevant fish diversion structural netting and rope materials (e.g. nylon, Dyneema, polypropylene) to reduce biofouling. Engagement with industry in the development and demonstration further supported progress toward commercialization of the materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Moisture-driven CO 2 direct air capture and delivery for cultivating cyanobacteria

This study demonstrates a low-energy system that passively captures CO₂ from ambient air using reusable solid sorbents and delivers it directly into alkaline cultivation media to support the growth of cyanobacteria, from laboratory flasks to outdoor raceway ponds. While long-term operation revealed challenges including biofouling and sorbent degradation, the results suggest that with improved sorbent durability, this approach could provide a scalable source of atmospheric carbon for producing sustainable fuels, proteins, natural colorants, and other bioproducts.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

An improved method for quantitatively measuring antifouling coating performance using a mussel single thread tensile adhesion test

Surface biofouling reduces the efficiency and lifespan of equipment across many industries. The development of high-performance antifouling surfaces, such as foul release coatings, benefits from test methods that can quickly identify superior antifouling surfaces in the laboratory during material development. Existing test methods poorly discriminate between different foul release coatings. Here is presented a method to assess the ability of surfaces to resist mussel adhesion using a quantitative, controlled single thread adhesion test (STAT) method, allowing for meaningful comparisons between low adhesion foul release surfaces. This method provides greater accuracy and finer resolution than push-based mussel shear adhesion methods without the difficulties associated with mussel size, thread attachment angle, or harming the mussels. The single thread tensile method is demonstrated on a variety of standard and high-performance coatings, and it is shown that the method detects differentiation between commercial foul release coatings that could not be resolved using other methods.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Aromatic amino acid metabolism and active transport regulation are implicated in microbial persistence in fractured shale reservoirs

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing has unlocked vast amounts of hydrocarbons trapped within unconventional shale formations. This large-scale engineering approach inadvertently introduces microorganisms into the hydrocarbon reservoir, allowing them to inhabit a new physical space and thrive in the unique biogeochemical resources present in the environment. Advancing our fundamental understanding of microbial growth and physiology in this extreme subsurface environment is critical to improving biofouling control efficacy and maximizing opportunities for beneficial natural resource exploitation. Here, we used metaproteomics and exometabolomics to investigate the biochemical mechanisms underpinning the adaptation of model bacterium Halanaerobium congolense WG10 and mixed microbial consortia enriched from shale-produced fluids to hypersalinity and very low reservoir flow rates (metabolic stress). We also queried the metabolic foundation for biofilm formation in this system, a major impediment to subsurface energy exploration. For the first time, we report that H. congolense WG10 accumulates tyrosine for osmoprotection, an indication of the flexible robustness of stress tolerance that enables its long-term persistence in fractured shale environments. We also identified aromatic amino acid synthesis and cell wall maintenance as critical to biofilm formation. Finally, regulation of transmembrane transport is key to metabolic stress adaptation in shale bacteria under very low well flow rates. These results provide unique insights that enable better management of hydraulically fractured shale systems, for more efficient and sustainable energy extraction.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Boron‐Doped Nano‐Crystalline Coated Carbon Fibers for Phasic Dopamine Sensing

Real time, chronic electrochemical detection of neurotransmitters will provide a positive step in the treatment and understanding of neurological disease. However, current electrodes using carbon fibers (CF) fail to perform chronically. While diamond-based coatings show promise in improving their longevity, achieving a uniform layer of such coatings on CFs is challenging, and the electrodes often lose sensitivity after coating. In this work, a complete and uniform boron-doped nanocrystalline material grown in a diamond reactor (B-NCD) was developed to coat CF microelectrodes for neurochemical sensing. The coating was characterized electrically, optically, mechanically, and chemically. The B-NCD coated CF electrodes were able to detect phasic dopamine at a sensitivity comparable to the most widely used alternatives (uncoated and PEDOT:Nafion coated CFs). During biofouling testing, the B-NCD coated CF electrodes demonstrated better stability than uncoated CFs and comparable performance to PEDOT:Nafion coated CFs. Moreover, B-NCD exhibited no signs of degradation during consecutive FSCV applications, while uncoated and PEDOT:Nafion coated CF electrodes degraded significantly over time. Furthermore, the B-NCD coating supported the survival and development of neurons and astrocytes in vitro, exhibited excellent adhesion and durability during mechanical bending testing, and enabled successful in vivo recording of phasic dopamine release in the rat brain. Overall, B-NCD coated CFs present as an ideal candidate for chronic, flexible neural implantable electrodes for long-term neurochemical monitoring.

carbon fiber↗
DOE OSTI2026

Hydrogen production from full-strength corn stover fermentation effluent in single-chamber replaceable-cathode microbial electrolysis cells

Lignocellulosic residual biomass generated by the agricultural sector is an abundant feedstock for biohydrogen production via dark fermentation. However, this process is intrinsically inefficient, converting only ~30% of the reductant energy into H2 and leaving substantial amounts of reduced byproducts. These byproducts, mostly found in the fermentation effluents, can be further valorized in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) to enhance the overall H2 recovery. However, current MEC configurations are typically dual- or single-chamber systems, yet both suffer from key inefficiencies. Dual-chamber systems rely on proton exchange membranes that are costly and prone to rapid biofouling, whereas single-chamber, membraneless systems are limited by reduced productivity due to H2 recycling and methanogenic consumption In this study, three single-chamber, 50-mL replaceable-cathode microbial electrolysis cells (RC-MECs) were 3D-printed and equipped with a physical separator to isolate anode and cathode compartments and limit H2 migration. Full-strength milled corn stover (MCS) fermentation effluent (COD of ~23.8 g-COD/L) was treated in fed-batch mode over two operational periods spanning 21 (Run 1) and 80 (Run 2) days. The RC-MECs exhibited comparable performance in both runs: after biofilm maturation, current densities exceeded 100 A/m²_cathode, COD removal reached up to 43%. Notably, extended RC-MECs operation led to a substantial methanogenic activity with the CH4 fraction in the cathode gas increasing to as high as 80% of the total biogas. Additions of a methanogenesis inhibitor 2-bromoethanesulfonate (2-BES) produced transient increases in hydrogen yields (11.51 and 5.12 L-H2/L_reactor/day in Runs 1 and 2, respectively); however, sustained 2-BES addition in subsequent cycles reduced total biogas production, decreased COD removal, and led to volatile fatty acid accumulation. Overall, single-chamber MECs can treat high-strength dark fermentation effluents while improving H2 recovery, but methanogenesis remains a key bottleneck, and complete long-term inhibition may be operationally unsustainable.

Hydrogen Production↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hydration and Restructuring of Polar Polymer Interfaces: Implications in Antifouling and Responsive Materials

Manipulating polymer interfaces is crucial for understanding how structure influences function in applications spanning biofouling prevention to energy storage. Moreover, observing how polymers adapt their microscopic structure to changes in their local environment can reveal essential properties that govern their performance in such applications, providing key insights into how to design more effective interfaces. Here, in this study, a series of “grafting-from” polymer brushes with side chains varying in charge, are probed by sum frequency generation (SFG) and modeled using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to elucidate how chemical makeup and charge mediate interfacial restructuring in dry versus hydrated states. Results show that charge, in progressing from nonpolar to cationic to zwitterionic, results in dramatic changes in interfacial structure and overall hydration. While net neutral systems, regardless of bulk phase polarity, show minimal interfacial water structuring, the cationic species exhibits strong bulk water signals from the surface potential. Meanwhile, the polymer brushes themselves restructure in water differently independent of charge, impacting the functional groups that are presented to the aqueous phase. Nonpolar and cationic species for instance undergo a change in alkyl group orientations to accommodate hydrating water molecules, whereas the zwitterionic polymer becomes completely disordered in water. Overall, the structure-based behavior trends presented herein have implications in antifouling applications and responsive material interfaces.

biointerface↗
DOE OSTI2024

Polymer Additive Manufacturing for Marine Renewable Energy Applications: Best Practices, Research Trends, and Current Challenges

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly growing technology space, not only for prototyping, but is also becoming more feasible at larger scales and increasing component quantities. There are a large variety of AM processes and materials available to users and effectively applying those processes and materials to a specific use case can be challenging. One specific area where AM could be particularly beneficial is marine renewable energy (MRE). Not only is MRE a relatively nascent industry with a near-term need for rapid deployments and prototype testing, but developers could also see long-term benefits from the broad variety of environmentally resistant materials available and the ability to manufacture complex geometries that AM technologies offer. Over the past 4 years, AM materials have played an increasing role in the Advanced Materials project; a multi-year, multi-laboratory research project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office, with the main goal of reducing barriers to the adoption of complex materials in the MRE industry. The primary focus of this project is to develop test methods and generate datasets to understand the long-term performance of advanced materials in marine environmental and address specific material challenges as they arise. This report provides an extensive overview of the research that has been performed specific to AM polymers as part of the Advanced Materials project. The intention of this document is to provide recommendations of best practices with regards to material selection, mechanical test method development, and design practices, lessons learned along the way, current research trends, and ongoing challenges with regards to AM polymers in marine environments. In particular, this report focuses on several key aspects: Material and process selection, Environmental conditioning and subsequent degradation quantification through mechanical characterization, Composite reinforcements on AM polymer substrates, Adhesion of instrumentation for mechanical characterization and loads measurements, Protective coatings for preventing biofouling and water ingress, Other MRE case studies where AM has proved particularly useful. Ultimately, we hope that the test methods that have been developed, data generated, and lessons learned from this research will be valuable to the MRE community (researchers and developers alike), as well as other industries, and can be used as a reference point as the respective MRE and AM industries continue to grow and mature.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗