Nanoarchitectured photoactive surfaces as an ecofriendly strategy preventing biofouling in marine environment – Cleansea

CleanSEA proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-architected coatings based on inorganic and photoactive materials to prevent or limit the formation of marine biofilms. CleanSEA develops a dual strategy based on the combination of antifouling and fouling release effects thanks to the topography and physicochemical and catalytic properties of the proposed materials. Cleansea envisages a fundamental approach to understand the adhesion mechanisms from the molecular (protein) scale to the organisms. The aging and toxicity of surfaces will be addressed. The study of surfaces will be carried out by in vitro and in vivo tests to establish the effectiveness of these materials under real conditions and to evaluate their effects on micro- and macro-fouling. The strength of CleanSEA is to bring together expertise in the fields of materials combined with the characterization of proteins at interfaces and marine biofouling.