During a successful Phase I feasibility study, Nanohmics scientists were able to incorporate environmentally-friendly algaecides into hard, optical quality polymers for use as coverglass materials. These transparent coverglass materials stopped all marine algae growth on the glass for well over a month. The Phase II development will further this research by incorporating natural product and/or environmentally-friendly algaecides and pesticides into a novel optical quality polymer. This newly developed polymer has the optical qualities of polycarbonate and yet exhibits nearly a 40% increase over polycarbonates impact resistance and enhanced resistance to UV aging. The advanced coverglass material will be fully developed for commercial production and tested in laboratory and actual marine environments for optical, physical, and anti-biofoulding properties as well as for their impact on the environment.
Potential Commercial Applications: Protective coverglass materials are essential to the long-lived performance of both freshwater and marine bio-optical sensors and solar panels. Coverglass materials that inhibit the growth of aquatic life on the glass greatly enhance and prolong the performance of the underlying active device. Other potential users for anti-fouling, impact resistant, inexpensive, transparent polymers include: greenhouse windows, underwater shipboard windows, aquariums, instrument viewports that are subject to biological fouling, and terrestrial solar panels