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A patent has been issued for an anti-fouling light emitting unit designed for marine vessel surfaces by inventor Jacobus Josephus Leijssen. The patent, assigned to Koninklijke Philips N.V., aims to address the issue of biofouling on ship hulls, which can lead to increased fuel consumption and other operational problems. The invention involves a light emitting unit with UV-C anti-fouling light sources and electrically conductive plates that can be applied to marine objects to prevent biofouling. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Minjiang University in Fuzhou, China, has found that the silk gland factor 1 (SGF1) plays a crucial role in the larval settlement of the fouling mussel Mytilopsis sallei. The researchers used high-throughput virtual screening to identify targeted binding compounds of SGF1, such as NAD+ and atorvastatin, which were found to induce and inhibit larval settlement, respectively. The study also showed that the expression of foot proteins' genes and the production of byssus threads in adult mussels were affected by exposure to NAD+ and atorvastatin. This research contributes to a better understanding of SGF1 and may provide insights for the development of novel antifouling agents. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued to Koninklijke Philips N.V. for an anti-biofouling system that emits anti-biofouling light. The system includes a sensor system that obtains measurement data related to the structural construction features of the anti-biofouling arrangement. Biofouling, the accumulation of microorganisms on surfaces, can cause problems such as increased fuel consumption and clogged filters. The invention allows for the assessment and monitoring of structural features of the anti-biofouling system and the object it is applied to, without the need for separate means. [Extracted from the article]

The advancement in material science and engineering technology has led to the development of antifouling (AF) coatings which are cheaper, durable, less toxic, and safe to the environment. The use of AF coatings containing tributyltin compounds was prohibited at the beginning of 2003, this necessitated the development of environmentally friendly coatings. The fouling release coating (FRC) lacks biocides and has low surface energy, low elastic modulus with smooth surface properties, hence a better release effect to fouling organisms. Several functional coatings have been recently developed based on fouling release (FR) technology to combat the effects of biofouling. Here, we provide a brief overview of innovative technologies and recent developments based on FRCs, including silicone, modified fluorinated polymer, cross-linked coatings, amphiphilic copolymer coating, hydrogel coatings, and biomimetic coatings. We also highlight the key issues and shortcomings of innovative technologies based on FRCs. This may give new insights into the future development of marine AF coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-biofouling system according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is configured to sense UV radiation reflected by the UV radiation exit window, and wherein the anti-biofouling system is configured to increase an intensity of said UV radiation when the optical sensor senses a reduction in the reflected UV radiation. The anti-biofouling system according to claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to provide at least part of said UV radiation within a total internal reflection critical angle with said radiation exit window, wherein the optical sensor is configured to sense scattered UV radiation from the downstream window side of the radiation exit window, and wherein the anti-biofouling system is configured to increase an intensity of said UV radiation when the optical sensor senses an increase in the scattered UV radiation. An anti-biofouling system comprising: an UV-emitting element, a light source, and an optical sensor, wherein the UV-emitting element comprises: a UV radiation exit window, wherein the UV-emitting element at least partly encloses the light source configured to provide UV radiation, wherein the UV radiation exit window is configured to transmit at least part of the UV radiation of the light source, wherein the UV radiation exit window comprises an upstream window side and a downstream window side, wherein the UV-emitting element also at least partly encloses the optical sensor configured to sense radiation emanating from the downstream window side and generated by the light source, and configured to provide a corresponding optical sensor signal, wherein the anti-biofouling system is further configured to provide said UV radiation in dependence of said optical sensor signal. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents information on a "Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster," a film chronicle that was screened on HBO, which is an investigative drama that cuffs every dirty hand. It shows the day two of the Exxon oil spill and North Slope crude is hemorrhaging into Prince William Sound, so far 11 million gallons, a killing wave fouling pristine coasts and poisoning wildlife. The contingency plan of Alyeska, the consortium of seven oil companies that owns the pipeline, is a joke: There is no emergency barge, only a pittance of containment boom, two operating skimmers instead of the promised seven and a mere fifty of the stipulated 400 drums of dispersants.

The article reports that Lux Research Inc. has forecasted that the advances in the membrane industry will take new markets in newer applications to a 2.8 billion growth through 2020. Research analyst Reka Sumangali has said that newer technology developments allow membranes to move into key growth sectors. Advances in membrane technologies for industrial water treatment include fouling resistance, self-cleaning functionality, and improved chemical tolerance.

The article reports on squids and fishing baits that imitate them. The author says all five salmon species love squid on their diets and that both commercial and recreational trollers have successfully used plastic squid imitations, or hoochies, to fool the salmon. A sample is photographed. Hoochies such as Sili Legs, SuperFloss, and Flashabou, are often blended into natural feather tails to complete the fakery. According to the author, a short sprig of bucktail tied in before the balance of the tail materials gives stiffness that reduces tail fouling.

The article discusses the importance of off-bottom farmed oysters as a way ensure that more U.S. Gulf oysters can fetch a higher price. The association between the characteristics of off-bottom oysters and boutique oysters is noted. These oysters should be raised in containers above the seafloor to eliminate burial in sediment and to better protect the oysters from fouling.

The article focuses on a research conducted by scientists at the University of Gothenburg which was published in the scientific journal "Biofouling" showing that mixing into the coating molecules prevents the growth of barnacles.

THE GOWANUS CANAL runs one and a half miles through brownstone Brooklyn, cutting a disreputable gash between two of the most desirable residential neighborhoods in New York City. Sunken below street level, no more than 100 feet across at most points, the canal does not really flow -- it skulks. On sunny days, its waters take a greenish hue and are clear enough to afford glimpses of rotting bulkhead timbers, mud-caked tires and other submerged detritus. When it's overcast, the water turns an inert gray. In the lawless old days, industries along the canal's banks fouled it with all kinds of pollution. Today, the canal is mostly disused, a corridor of warehouses and razor wire, and the most enduring reminders of its colorful past emanate from several underground deposits of coal tar, which belch up oily bubbles. The residue forms a prismatic sheen on the canal's surface, reflecting shimmering visions of the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article reports on promising results from early tests conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a method of shooting tiny electric jolts through the undersides of boats to minimize biofouling. Scientists claim that the technique curbed the accumulation of marine life by up to 50 percent. Rodolfo Perez, a doctoral candidate of civil and environmental engineering at the university, said it is unlikely they would be able to prevent biofouling entirely, due to the enormous diversity of fauna.

Discusses the efforts of scientists to develop a solution for controlling the population of zebra mussel. Economic impact of zebra mussel fouling; Effect of zebra mussel on native wildlife; Disadvantages of using the chlorination method in controlling zebra mussel; Effectiveness of using BioBullets, a toxic compound composed of potassium chloride, in controlling zebra mussel.