• Title/Summary/Keyword: Non-biofouling

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An Experimental Study of Non-Electrolysis Anti-Microfouling Technology Based on Bioelectric Effect

  • Young Wook Kim
    • Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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    • v.37 no.4
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    • pp.172-179
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    • 2023
  • Biofouling initiated by biofilm (slime) formation is a key challenge for practical ocean engineering and construction. This study evaluated a new anti-biofilm technology using bioelectricity. The anti-microfouling electrical technology is based on the principles of the bioelectric effect, known as the application of an electrostatic force for biofilm removal. Previously, the electricity was optimized below 0.82V to avoid electrolysis, which can prevent the production of biocides. A test boat comprised of microelectronics for electrical signal generation with electrodes for an anti-biofouling effect was developed. The tests were conducted in the West Sea of Korea (Wangsan Marina, Incheon) for three weeks. The surface biofouling was quantified. A significant reduction of fouling was observed under the bioelectric effect conditions, with approximately 30% enhanced prevention of fouling progress (P<0.05). This technology can be an alternative eco-friendly technique for anti-microfouling that can be applied for canals, vessels, and coastal infrastructure because it does not induce electrolysis.

Soft lithographic patterning of proteins and cells inside a microfluidic channel (소프트 리소그라피를 이용한 마이크로유체 채널 내의 단백질 및 세포 패터닝)

  • Suh, Kahp-Yang
    • Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.65-73
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    • 2007
  • The control of surface properties and spatial presentation of functional molecules within a microfluidic channel is important for the development of diagnostic assays, microreactors, and for performing fundamental studies of cell biology and fluid mechanics. Here, we present soft lithographic methods to create robust microchannels with patterned microstructures inside the channel. The patterned regions were protected from oxygen plasma by controlling the dimensions of the poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) mold as well as the sequence of fabrication steps. The approach was used to pattern a non-biofouling polyethylene glycol(PEG)-based copolymer or the polysaccharide hyaluronic acid(HA) within microfluidic channels. These non-biofouling patterns were then used to fabricate arrays of fibronectin(FN) and bovine serum albumin(BSA) as well as mammalian cells.

Study on the Biofouling Management of International Ships Entering South Korea (국내입항 국제운항선의 선체부착생물 관리에 대한 연구)

  • Park, JeongKyeong;Hoe, ChulHoi;Kim, HanPil;Cho, YuKyeong
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.10-18
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    • 2022
  • With the increase in world trade through ships, the destruction of the marine ecosystem and socioeconomic damage due to invasive alien species (IAS) are continuously increasing. In particular, marine organisms attached on the hull surface and niche area increase the friction resistance of ships as well as the invasion of non-indigenous species, and causes a decrease in operational efficiency and an increase in GHG (Green House Gas) emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recently begun revising guidelines for the control and management of ship's biofouling, and New Zealand and California in the United States are already regulating biofouling management under their own laws. This study investigated the management status of the submerged surface of ships and marine organisms attachments on five international ships entering South Korea, and analyzed species group and coverage (%) of biofouling communities to evaluate the LoF (Level of Fouling) rank. Macroflouling was observed on all ships surveyed, and specially, the adhesion of macro organisms in niche areas such as bow thruster, bilge keels and sea-chest gratings appeared to be at a serious level. This study proposed the management direction our country should take with regard to ship's biofouling and the improvement measures for evaluation of LoF rank and inspection methods of hull and niche ares.

An Overview of the Pretreatment Processes in Seawater Desalination Plants using Reverse Osmosis Membranes (역삼투막을 이용한 해수담수화 플랜트에서 전처리 공정 기술)

  • Ahn, Chang Hoon;Lee, Wonil;Yoon, Jeyong
    • Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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    • v.23 no.6
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    • pp.811-823
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    • 2009
  • Seawater desalination process using a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane has been considered as one of the most promising technologies in solving the water scarcity problems in many arid regions around the world. To protect RO membrane in the process, a thorough understanding of the pretreatment process is particularly needed. Seawater organic matters (SWOMs) may form a gel layer on the membrane surface, which will increase a concentration polarization. As the SWOMs can be utilized as a substrate, membrane biofouling will be progressed on the RO membrane surface, resulting in the flux decline and increase of trans-membrane pressure drop and salt passage. In the middle of disinfection, an optimal chlorine dosage and neutralizer (sodium bisulfite, SBS) should be practiced to prevent oxidizing the surface of RO membranes. Additional fundamental research including novel non-susceptible biofouling membranes would be necessary to provide a guide line for the proper pretreatment process.

Bioinspired Nanoengineering of Multifunctional Superhydrophobic Surfaces

  • Choi, Chang-Hwan
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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    • 2015.11a
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    • pp.102-133
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    • 2015
  • Nature, such as plants, insects, and marine animals, uses micro/nano-textured surfaces in their components (e.g., leaves, wings, eyes, legs, and skins) for multiple purposes, such as water-repellency, anti-adhesiveness, and self-cleanness. Such multifunctional surface properties are attributed to three-dimensional surface structures with modulated surface wettability. Especially, hydrophobic surface structures create a composite interface with liquid by retaining air between the structures, minimizing the contact area with liquid. Such non-wetting surface property, so-called superhydrophobicity, can offer numerous application potentials, such as hydrodynamic drag reduction, anti-biofouling, anti-corrosion, anti-fogging, anti-frosting, and anti-icing. Over the last couple of decades, we have witnessed a significant advancement in the understanding of surface superhydrophobicity as well as the design, fabrication, and applications of superhydrophobic coatings/surfaces/materials. In this talk, the designs, fabrications, and applications of superhydrophobic surfaces for multifunctionalities will be presented, including hydrodynamic friction reduction, anti-biofouling, anti-corrosion, and anti-icing.

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Improving Microalgal Biomass Productivity and Preventing Biofouling in Floating Marine Photobioreactors via Sulfonation of Selectively Permeable Membranes (부유형 해양 광생물반응기의 선택적 투과막의 술폰화 반응을 통한 Biofouling 억제 및 미세조류 생산성 향상)

  • Kim, Kwangmin;Lee, Yunwoo;Kim, Z-Hun;Park, Hanwool;Jung, Injae;Park, Jaehoon;Lim, Sang-Min;Lee, Choul-Gyun
    • Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.14-21
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study was to inhibit biofouling on a selectively permeable membrane (SPM) and increase biomass productivity in marine photobioreactors (PBRs) for microalgal cultivation by chemical treatment. Surfaces of a SPM, composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), was sulfonated to decrease hydrophobicity through attaching negatively charged sulfonic groups. Reaction time of sulfonation was varied from 0 min to 60 min. As the reaction time increased, the water contact angle value of SPM surface was decreased from $75.5^{\circ}$ to $44.5^{\circ}$, indicating decrease of surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the water permeability of sulfonated SPM was increased from $5.42mL/m^2/s$ to $10.58mL/m^2/s$, which reflects higher nutrients transfer rates through the membranes, due to decreased hydrophobicity. When cultivating Tetraselmis sp. using 100-mL floating PBRs with sulfonated SPMs, biomass productivity was improved by 34% compared with the control group (non-reacted SPMs). In addition, scanning electron microscopic observation of SPMs used for cultivation clearly revealed lower degree of cell attachment on the sulfonated SPMs. These results suggest that sulfornation of a PET SPM could improve microalgal biomass productivity by increasing nutrients transfer rates and inhibiting biofouling by algal cells.