Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWSPaint system against biofouling - MS Wissenschaft
Full speed ahead! - The Fraunhofer IMWS on the MS Wissenschaft
Algae, barnacles and mussels, which attach themselves to ships’ hulls, increase fuel consumption. The Fraunhofer IMWS, together with partners, has developed a non-toxic solution, which prevents this biofouling. How the technology works is shown in an exhibit on the MS Wissenschaft.
The exhibition ship “MS Wissenschaft” (Motor Ship Science) is a converted inland cargo ship with 600 square metres of exhibition space. The MS Wissenschaft has been touring as part of the annual “Science Years” since 2002. On the current tour in 2016 it visited 35 towns and cities in the north of Germany; in 2017 the MS Wissenschaft will be touring the waterways in the south of Germany. The topic of the Science Year 2016*17 is Seas and Oceans.
In clear and vivid exhibits, universities, research institutes and other institutions, who concern themselves with the oceans and seas, their current projects and thus explain the importance of the seas and oceans.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) is also represented with an exhibit in the floating exhibition. The Institute presents a technology, which prevents the growth of mussels, algae and barnacles on ships in an environmentally friendly way.
What the growth underwater looks like is shown in an aquarium. Enlarged models visualize the organisms that settle and colonize on ships’ hulls. Further background information on the topic is provided via a touchscreen.
Barnacles (below) and tube worms (left) settle on the ships’ hulls where they form a layer of “uninvited passengers”. Because the growth under water, called fouling, increases the ships’ fuel consumption and damages the material.
Three pieces of steel in an aquarium show what ship steel looks like when it has been underwater for a long time. They had previously been exposed to the water of the Baltic Sea for 14 months.
If the steel is not protected against fouling, a thick layer of mussels, barnacles and other organisms form, when the ship lies at anchor.
The Fraunhofer IMWS has developed a paint system (antifouling coating), which prevents this fouling. Protected pieces of steel (rear) are free from fouling; unprotected pieces of steel (front) are covered in dense growth.
Using a touchscreen, visitors can find out how the technology works and what the consequences of fouling of ships (biofouling) are for industry and the environment.
Prof. Ralf B. Wehrspohn, Head of the Fraunhofer IMWS, is proud to be able to present the institute in the exhibition. The MS Wissenschaft is on tour until the autumn 2017.