Advanced nanostructures for the control of biofouling: The FP6 EU Integrated Project AMBIO

The colonization of man made structures by marine or freshwater organisms or "biofouling" is a problem for maritime and aquaculture industries. Increasing restrictions on the use of toxic coatings that prevent biofouling, create a gap in the market that requires new approaches to produce novel nonbiocidal alternatives. This review details the systematic strategy adopted by an FP6 EU Integrated Project "AMBIO" to develop fundamental understanding of key surface properties that influence settlement and adhesion of fouling organisms. By this approach the project contributes to the understanding of fundamental phenomena involved in biofouling, and to the development of environmentally benign solutions by coating manufacturers within the consortium.