Scientists at a Dublin university have developed a new antifouling technique inspired by a common flatfish in Europe’s waters.

As Silicon Republic reports, the team of researchers at Dublin City University (DCU) created a material that mimics the scales of brill, which have tiny spacings that interrupt the development of biofilm from micro-organisms that cause microfouling.

It’s this slimy film that forms the basis for larger macrofouling by barnacles, mussels and other growths on a boat’s hull.

“Our work has discovered that these brill-inspired micro textures cause a disruption to the formation of a biofilm leading to surfaces that are easier to clean or have a slower rate of biofilm formation,” said team lead Prof Fiona Regan from DCU’s Water Institute.

Silicon Republic has more on the story HERE.

Dublin City University will be the venue for the lectures which will cover the following modules:

•Introduction to Shipping

•Shipping Business

•Port Agency and Liner Trades

This year the institute are to include lectures on Economics of Sea Transport & International Trade. These lectures are suitable for students who have already embarked on their course of studies and wish to obtain full membership of the Institute.

The date for completion of Registration Forms is 1 September and the lectures commence on 17th September. For further information please contact Hilary Parks on 087 6566610 or [email protected] and visit www.icsbranch.ie