SAFER

The purpose of the joint laboratory between the Laboratory of Marine Biotechnologies and Chemistry (LBCM-EA 3884) of the University of Bretagne-Sud and Nautix (SME, Guidel, 56) is to study the marine antifouling paints, from their design to their evaluation. A vast majority of these coatings, which are applied on immersed structures, prevent the proliferation of fouling such as seaweeds, bivalves etc. by action of toxic compounds (biocides) or surface effect (reduction of the adhesion strength of organisms). The development of antifouling paints involves not only high economic stakes (limitation of maintenance costs and gas consumption), but also technological and scientific challenges (numerous technological obstacles requiring an interdisciplinary approach), a societal issue (conformance to the current and future regulations) and an environmental responsibility (reduction of the emissions of toxic molecules, limitation of dissemination of invasive species). Areas of research to be covered by the common laboratory are, on the one hand, the design of innovative coatings and, on the other hand, the development of the tools required for their characterization and evaluation, both in terms of efficiency and environmental impact. Antifouling paints are complex formulations, composed of polymers bringing essential physical properties to the film (erosion, effect of surface and/or capacity at the leaching of molecules), and of additives conferring specific functions (colour, biocide action, permeability, porosity). The work will start from various Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). It will cover both aspects mentioned here above and have the objective of reaching short and medium-term goals in terms of efficiency, cost, environmental impact, compatibility with the current ways of prevention and maintenance. In a longer term, the aim is to propose fouling release solutions integrating macromolecules/molecules allowing anti-adhesive amphiphilic properties, imitating natural surfaces which are known to be free of colonization (i.e. seaweeds). The development of these products lies on the detailed knowledge of the phenomena involved in bio adhesion. Characterization tools must be developed to investigate the physical behaviour of films during immersion and/or facing stress (for example, shear stress during the movement of the structure or the action of the currents). Furthermore, the rapid evolution of the international and national environmental regulations makes the proof of the efficiency, as well as the evaluation of their environmental impact at various trophic levels of marine ecosystems, compulsory. Innovative ways of assessment will be an important area of investigation for the joint laboratory. As a summary, the joint laboratory will direct its research around three themes: i) develop innovative antifouling products with a low environmental impact, ii) design innovative fouling release solutions based on amphiphilic surfaces , iii) to develop innovative tools for the characterization and evaluation of coatings.