Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
Teflon riblets inspired from Shark Skin. These riblets that are composed of parallel grooves can mimic the drag-reducing properties of shark dermal denticles. This design is able to constrain turbulent flow near the surface and thus, reduce the contact the fluid makes with the surface, minimising shear forces and decreasing drag force by approximately 13% [17, 30, 31]. The fabrication method for these riblets, known as direct contactless microfracture, was proposed to offer a much more cost-effective method for upscaling production, compared to the production of nanostructured Teflon wrinkles that, although were originally used in the creation of liquid infused surfaced, can’t be applied on a large scale due to the requirements for specialised equipment and high cost [17].
In this study, these silicon oil-infused microstructured riblets exhibited high lubrication retention when exposed to shear flow conditions while presenting more slippery properties by preventing biofouling, inhibiting the attachment of Pseudoalteromonas spp. Additionally, modifying the geometry of the riblets, particularly the groove width and periodicity, did significantly influence the retention of the lubricant [17], demonstrating the significant importance of surface topography when designing robust and long-lasting SLIPSs. Although these riblets demonstrated lack of porous network or overhanging structures, features essential for effective lubricant retention, they still manage to retain a measure able amount of silicon oil which does offer potential for developing large-scale, low-cost production of anti-fouling solutions [17].
The integration of nanostructures can further enhance lubricant retention through the increased surface area and capillary effect, which can lead to an improvement in long-term anti-fouling performance. While nanostructures do offer superior performance, their high and specialised fabrication cost can present a tradeoff to future industry for large scale applications. Thus, future research should explore
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hybrid approach that combines microstructure ribets with nanoscale features, which present a balance between cost-effectiveness and anti-fouling efficacy.
The implementation of nanotechnology into novel anti-fouling innovations has demonstrated significant potential in enhancing lubricant retention and increasing corrosion resistance. These advancements align with the growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches within the marine lubricant industry. Although there are challenges of high cost and limited scalability within nanofabrication techniques due to the specialised equipment and materials needed, nanotechnology remains as a promising and respected frontier for the future. As environmental regulations continue to tighten, especially upon non-toxic and biodegradable solutions, nanotechnology offers a complementary pathway towards greener, high-performance marine lubricant systems that balance effect with sustainability.
Biolubricants: a greener alternative (SLIPS) Biolubricants are another emerging approach in anti-fouling technology, offering further innovative ways towards greater sustainability and eco-friendly compatibility. Traditional slippery liquid infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) structures often use silicon or fluorinated-based lubricants, which, although generally non-toxic, may not fully be benign or biodegradable within the marine environment, as there still may be some drawbacks [32]. In contrast, biolubricants derived from fatty acids and natural oils are inherently non-toxic and often exhibit antibacterial properties, making them promising candidates for marine anti-fouling application [33].
In a study performed by Awad et al. [33], SLIPS were constructed by infusing vegetable oil into stainless steel surfaces, producing a coating that reduced biofilm formation and bacterial adherence of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a biofilm-forming bacterium that has the ability to adhere to surfaces and produce
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