Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
Another recent study conducted by Tong et al. also involved a very similar mechanism of smart anti-fouling surface known as a slippery porous liquid infused porous surface (SPIPS), inspired by the poison dart frog, which secretes venomous mucus as a defense mechanism [40]. This SPIPS coating responds to UV exposure, switching between “offensive” and “defensive” states. This unique behaviour promotes anti-foulant release during periods of high biofouling activity while conserving materials and resources during low biofouling activity. This behaviour compensates for the gap period, a phase in which the anti-fouling SLIPS coating is weakened and thus reduces the anti-fouling efficacy, particularly due to increases biofouling pressures that can cause exhaustion of material, inefficient timing of release, or lack of adaptive releasing mechanism [40]. Usually, the coating would eventually have to be replaced however, this new innovative SLIPLS coating can fill in this gap as it introduced an on-demand anti-fouling release mechanism to reduce waste, extend the coating lifespan and provide continues defense across different environmental conditions. This SPIPS system shows excellent performance, demonstrating an anti-fouling effect for 360 days shown in Figure 4 [40].
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This adaptive, bioinspired approach offers a promising solution to improve anti-fouling efficiency, reduce lubricant usage, and extend the lifespan of coatings, which supports the broader goal of sustainable and smart marine lubricant technologies for the future.
Enhanced lubricants performance for engines Lubricants are used in various marine applications to ensure that the engines of ships run smoothly as lubricants reduce friction between moving parts, preventing excessive wear and tear, overheating, and power loss, leading to greater performance and longevity [2]. However, lubricants must be carefully matched to the specific hardware of the engine and applied in careful amounts for optimal usage. Any improper application of marine lubricants may lead to problems, such as overheating, and cause damage to the engine [2].
As stated below, many strict regulations are encouraging greater sustainability for marine lubricants. Marine lubricants are uniquely emphasised for their detergency, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance. Many industrial and environmental drivers strive to push for better fuel efficiency, emission control, lower carbon footprint, and greater reliability and performance compared to traditional lubricants [41]. These pressures have led to a surge in interest towards nanotechnology-based additives and biolubricants as sustainable alternatives to traditional formulation in order to deliver performance without compromising environmental standards.
Figure 4: Marine field test of experimental slippery porous-infused liquid porous surface (SPIPS) with different increments of porous liquid performed in the Zhoushan Sea over the course of 360 days [40].
Nanotechnology is emerging as a transformative approach in the development of lubricants, aiming to enhance engine efficiency and performance while ensuring environmental compatibility. The use of nanoparticle additives has demonstrably reduced friction and wear by a significant degree, which continues to lengthen engine life and lower fuel consumption, and thus lower greenhouse gas emissions [42, 43].
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