Interphase Materials, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N161-041

Description

Interphase Materials Inc. (Interphase) proposes the application of its patent pending antibiofouling surface treatment (AST) for the safe prevention of biofouling in OHIO class submarine seawater piping and heat exchanger systems (SPSs). Interphase will explore the feasibility of applying its AST to these systems. Interphase AST prevents biofouling by stopping organism attachment as opposed to killing them with toxic compounds. This approach eliminates the need for expensive electrocatalytic chlorine generation systems to be stored on the submarine and be continually powered. Additionally, because it is a non-leaching technology the potential environmental impacts of biofouling prevention are dramatically decreased. Interphase will assess the effects of the AST on heat transfer and biofouling as well as outline a system for the application of the AST to new and in use SPSs. Based on this data, Interphase will provide an anticipated cost benefit provided by utilizing the AST as opposed to current electrocatalytic chlorine generation protocols or simply leaving the seawater system untreated. Interphase AST has the potential to solve the current biofouling on OHIO class submarines through a surface treatment that prevents fouling without the need for constant power or expensive maintenance.