Effect of galvanically induced surface potentials on marine fouling

This paper reports the effect of a galvanically produced negative surface p otential on the accumulation of marine biofouling. The potential was create d by connecting pieces of copper or stainless steel to a layer of Indium/Ti n Oxide semiconductor deposited on glass. It was shown that the negative po tential significantly reduced the accumulation of biofouling. As the conduc tive layer is transparent, the technique was used to protect the windows of commercial optical instruments. This technology could provide an inexpensi ve way of extending deployment times for marine instruments.