Low Cost Antifouling Solution Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-044 Topic Title: Low Cost Antifouling Solution Proposal No.: N161-044-0565 Firm: Lynntech, Inc. 2501 Earl Rudder Freeway South College Station, Texas 77845 Contact: Brian Hennings Phone: (979) 764-2200 Web Site: http://www.lynntech.com/ Abstract: The attachment of marine organisms (biofouling) to the surfaces of Navy submarines can cause multiple problems including but not limited to: a reduction in top speed, decreased acceleration, loss of buoyancy, increased vessel displacement, loss of stealth and less effective acoustic sensors. Even moderate fouling can reduce a vessel's speed. Antifouling coatings applied to the vessel's hull reduce biofouling when the vessel is in motion. Unfortunately antifouling coatings are less effective when the vessel is stationary, leading to accelerated biofouling when docked. Therefore submarines are regularly treated in dry dock to dislodge adhered marine organisms by pressure jets and by scraping, a procedure that is very expensive and reduces operational availability. The proposal describes a new biofouling control method that is applied to the hull when the submarine is in port. The hull treatment is continuous and prevents fouling growth before it starts. The method is non-chemical and compliant with existing environmental regulations. It can be applied from temporary equipment, using an engineering infrastructure entirely independent from the vessel. No changes to the hull are required. The Phase I focuses is on scalability, and rapid transition to a practical demonstration in Phase II. Benefits: The market for biofouling control methods is vast. Applications include: ships hulls (navy and commercial fleets), heat exchangers, sea water pipelines, piers, off shore oil production equipment and sea defenses. Biofouling control methods reduce equipment maintenance costs and protect assets, providing typically a 20:1 return on investment. The market for antifouling paints is estimated at tens of billions of dollars. The business climate for introducing new antifouling technologies is excellent, driven by the urgent need to improve the fuel efficiency (carbon footprint) of navy and commercial vessels. Environmental pressures are forcing many established biofouling control products off the market. Return