Using textured PDMS to prevent settlement and enhance release of marine fouling organisms.

The antifouling efficacy of a series of 18 textured (0.2-1000 µm) and non-textured (0 µm) polydimethylsiloxane surfaces with the profiles of round- and square-wave linear grating was tested by recording the settlement of fouling organisms in the laboratory and in the field by monitoring the recruitment of a multi-species fouling community. In laboratory assays, the diatoms Nitzschia closterium and Amphora sp. were deterred by all surface topographies regardless of texture type. Settlement of propagules of Ulva sp. was lower on texture sizes less than the propagule size, and settlement of larvae of Saccostrea glomerata and Bugula neritina was lower on texture sizes closest to, but less than, the sizes of larvae. After a six month field trial, all textured surfaces lost their deterrent effect; however, the foul-release capabilities of textures were still present. High initial attachment was correlated with most fouling remaining after removal trials, indicating that fouling organisms recruited in higher numbers to surfaces upon which they attached most strongly.

Combining a photocatalyst with microtopography to develop effective antifouling materials.

Polydimethylsiloxane surfaces textured with a square-wave linear grating profile (0, 20, 200, 300 and 600 µm), and embedded with a range of photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle loadings (3.75, 7.5, 11.25 and 15 wt.%), were used to test the combined efficacy of these technologies as antifouling materials. Settlement of the fouling bryozoan species Bugula neritina was quantified in the laboratory under two intensities of UV light. The lowest settlement rates were observed on 20 µm surfaces. However, texture effects were not as critical to larval settlement as the presence of TiO2. In conjunction with UV light, TiO2 completely inhibited larval metamorphosis even at the lowest loading (3.75 wt.%) and the lowest intensity of UV light (24 W m(-2)). Recruitment of B. neritina was also quantified in field trials and showed similar results to laboratory assays. The lowest recruitment was observed on 20 and 200 µm surfaces, with recruitment being significantly lower on all surfaces containing TiO2. Therefore for B. neritina, although all TiO2 loadings were effective, 3.75 wt.% can be used as a minimum inhibitory concentration to deter larval settlement and the addition of a 20 µm texture further increases the deterrent effect.

Enhancing the settlement and attachment strength of pediveligers of Mytilus galloprovincialis by changing surface wettability and microtopography.

Surface wettability and microtopography can either enhance or deter larval settlement of many sessile marine organisms. This study quantifies the effect of these surface properties on the settlement of pediveligers of Mytilus galloprovincialis, using polymers spanning a range of wettability and microtextured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Furthermore, the adhesion strength of settled pediveligers on microtextured PDMS surfaces was quantified using a flow chamber. Settlement was enhanced at the hydrophilic end of the wettability spectrum, where mean settlement on nylon reached 33.5 ± 13.1%. In contrast, mean settlement on the most hydrophobic polymer (PDMS) was 4.2 ± 3.2%. Microtopography had a much stronger effect compared to wettability, where 400 µm textured PDMS enhanced settlement above 90%. Settlement preferences were also positively correlated to adhesion strength at flow rates of 4 knots, with all initially settled pediveligers on smooth PDMS detaching, while 79.9 ± 5.7% of pediveligers remained on the 400 µm texture.

A hand-held surface plasmon resonance biosensor for the detection of ricin and other biological agents.

There is an ongoing need for field-deployable biosensor devices. We have constructed a fully self-contained, hand-held biosensor, based on the surface plasmon resonance technique. The dimensions of the sensor unit are 15 x 8 cm, the weight is 600 g and it is powered by a 9 V battery. We have characterised the responsiveness of the sensor using calibrated sucrose solutions and were able to measure changes as small as 3.3 x 10(-6) refractive index units. To demonstrate functionality of the sensor, we have prepared surfaces with an antibody fragment specific for the biological toxin ricin. We were able to detect ricin at 200 ng/mL in 10 min, which is approximately 2500 times less than the minimum lethal dose. We were also able to verify positive binding within a second 10 min window. This sensor demonstrates important steps required for the development of fully integrated, hand-held sensor devices and will form the basis of a multi-analyte system, to be developed in the near future. It also represents the first completely hand-held SPR device, not requiring external power or a computer connection to operate.