Researchers from Australia’s Flinders University, along with ASC, the University of South Australia and the Department of Defense, have developed an electrically charged surface coating that eliminates marine bio-fouling on ship hulls.

To prevent the accumulation of marine bio-fouling, or sea organism growth — which causes drag, impaired maneuverability and thus increased fuel consumption — the team coated surfaces subject to electromechanical stress with a conducting paint.

Source: Flinders University

Following a series of active anti-fouling experiments, where researchers tested assorted materials, coatings and electrical cycles and compared them against non-electrically stressed samples, the team found that bio-fouling was significantly reduced, if not completely eliminated, on the surfaces coated with the conducting paint.

Watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of Flinders University for more information on the electrically charged coating.