Dataset Information

Continuous bubble streams for controlling marine biofouling on static artificial structures.

ABSTRACT: Biofouling accumulation is not proactively managed on most marine static artificial structures (SAS) due to the lack of effective options presently available. We describe a series of laboratory and field trials that examine the efficacy of continuous bubble streams in maintaining SAS free of macroscopic biofouling and demonstrate that this treatment approach is effective on surface types commonly used in the marine environment. At least two mechanisms were shown to be at play: the disruption of settlement created by the bubble stream, and the scouring of recently settled larvae through shear stress. Field trials conducted over a one-year period identified fouling on diffusers as a major issue to long-term treatment applications. Field measurements suggest that noise associated with surface mounted air blowers and sub-surface diffusers will be highly localised and of low environmental risk. Future studies should aim to develop and test systems at an operational scale.

SUBMITTER: Hopkins GA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8092111 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Continuous bubble streams for controlling marine biofouling on static artificial structures.

Hopkins Grant A GA Gilbertson Fletcher F Floerl Oli O Casanovas Paula P Pine Matt M Cahill Patrick P

PeerJ 20210430

Biofouling accumulation is not proactively managed on most marine static artificial structures (SAS) due to the lack of effective options presently available. We describe a series of laboratory and field trials that examine the efficacy of continuous bubble streams in maintaining SAS free of macroscopic biofouling and demonstrate that this treatment approach is effective on surface types commonly used in the marine environment. At least two mechanisms were shown to be at play: the disruption of ...[more]

PMID: 33987009

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Project description:Robots operating in changing underwater environments may be required to adapt to these varying conditions. In tidal estuaries, for example, where the degree of salinity cycles in step with the level of the water, a robot may need to adapt its behaviour depending on the position of the tide. In freshwater bodies, the unexpected presence of a pollutant may also require the robot to respond by altering its behaviour. Embodying this sensing and response in the body of the robot means that adaptivity to the environment can be achieved without resorting to centralised control. This can also allow direct responsivity using 'free' environmental energy, actuating without requiring stored onboard energy. In this work we present a soft artificial muscle, the contraction of which varies in response to the salinity the water surrounding it. The novel actuator uses a super-absorbent polymer gel encapsulated within a series of discrete cells. This gel readily absorbs water through the membrane wall of the actuator, and can swell to over 300 times its initial volume. This swelling generates significant pressure, changing the shape of the cells and driving the contraction of the muscle. The degree of swelling is significantly reduced by the presence of salts and pollutants in the surrounding water, so transitioning from a freshwater to a saltwater environment causes the muscle to relax. In this paper, we discuss the design and fabrication of these superabsorbent polymer-based Bubble Artificial Muscle (SAP-BAM) actuators. The tensile properties of the muscle under actuated (fresh water) and relaxed (salt water) conditions are characterised, showing a maximum generated force of 10.96N. The length response under constant load for a full actuation cycle is given, showing a maximum contraction of 27.5% of the initial length at 1N load, and the performance over repeated actuation and relaxation cycles is shown. The SAP-BAM muscles are straightforward to fabricate and are composed of low-cost, freely-available materials. Many existing pneumatically-actuated muscles can be modified to use the approach taken for this muscle. The muscle presented in this work represents the first example of a new class of super-absorbent polymer-driven environmental soft artificial muscles.

Dataset Information

Continuous bubble streams for controlling marine biofouling on static artificial structures.

Publications

Continuous bubble streams for controlling marine biofouling on static artificial structures.

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