Biomimetic design of novel antifouling materials for application to environmental sensing technologies

Unwanted biological growth on materials immersed in aquatic environments, widely known as biofouling, represents one of the primary obstacles to long-term autonomous deployment of aquatic sensors. Without regular removal, biofouling can disrupt data collected by such sensors. To date, this occurrence has been prevented by the application of biocidal coatings, many of which are harmful to the aquatic environment and which have now been legislatively controlled. The current replacement antifouling materials under development are largely unsuited to sensor technologies as they have been developed with large scale applications in mind, such as those required by the shipping industry. Therefore, a strategy for the development of novel, sustainable, antifouling materials for sensor applications is required. Biomimetics, the use of ideas inspired by nature as a means of developing novel technology, or improving existing technology, offer such a pathway to producing novel antifouling methods. However, many of the current generation of biomimetic antifouling materials have not reached the commercialization stage. In this paper, the potential of biomimetic antifouling materials for application to environmental sensors is discussed. We outline a strategy for the identification and production of novel biomimetic antifouling strategies, and discuss the pitfalls of developing antifouling materials based on biomimetic design.