Research Task 13 Antifouling strategies for long term, in situ sensor deployment.
PhD position. University of Southampton and NOCS. Supervisors: Prof. Bill Keevil, Dr Matt Mowlem and Dr Douglas Connelly.
The aim of the project is to improve our existing sensor technology to enable those sensors to be deployed in the aquatic environment for periods exceeding a year. The student will develop a series of antifouling coatings and treatments and assess the optimal ones for long-term sensor deployments. The specific objectives are: to assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial materials (e.g. copper) and novel coatings (e.g. biocide layers); bio-release agents; mechanical (e.g. wiper) and hydrodynamic (e.g. water jet) cleaning; and chemical flushing in the prevention of sensor fouling. All of the experiments to be undertaken will be validated using the novel real time light microscopy technique, episcopic differential interference contrast (EDIC) microscopy coupled with epifluorescence (EF) (1), which has been patented by the University. High magnification EDIC/EF allows the rapid visualisation of microorganisms and surface deposits on even highly convoluted opaque surfaces without the need for coverslips or oil immersion. It has recently been used successfully to assess very low protein concentration deposition on the lenses of surgical endoscopes following use in patients and after cleaning. Initial studies are already successfully using EDIC/EF to investigate biofilm formation in several Atlantic deep-sea sites.
(1) Keevil, C.W. 2003. Water Sci Technol 47: 105-116
