June 16-21, 2024 Guangzhou, China
New approaches for fouling control
Non-coating antifouling methods (cleaning robot, UV, ultrasound, etc.); Smart antifouling materials; Fouling resistant strategy.
Advances in fouling release coatings
Silicone/Fluoro-based coatings and alternatives; Non-elastic fouling release coatings; New approaches and ideas for fouling release solutions;
Biocidal antifouling coatings
Biocidal antifouling coatings and surfaces; Controlled release technology; New polymer binders; New approaches and ideas for antifouling solutions.
Biomimetic and bioinspired antifouling strategy
Natural and biomimetic antifouling surfaces (textured surface, deformable surface, renewing surface etc.); Natural and biomimetic antifouling products;
Novel environmental-friendly antifoulant
Emerging antifouling compounds; Natural antifoulants; Bioinspired synthetic analogues; Mechanisms of action.
New analytical methods for antifouling/anticorrosion
Lab / field assessment of antifouling / anticorrosive performances; Assessment methods of emerging antifouling / anticorrosive materials; Monitoring strategies for settlement and adhesion of fouling organisms; Microfluidic testing of antifouling and fouling release coatings.
Ecotoxicology and risk management
Biocides and active substances: registration, release rate, efficacy, and impact on non-target organisms; Fate and effects of antifouling or anticorrosive compounds; Risk management; Regulation and policy.
Hydrodynamics/dynamic testing
Ship fuel penalties associated with marine corrosion and/or fouling; Impact of marine corrosion and/or fouling on frictional drag; Dynamic testing of coatings and other material substrates; Characterization of fouling under dynamic conditions.
Marine corrosion
Corrosion mechanism and protection; Cathodic protection systems; Material survivability; Concrete corrosion; Anticorrosive coatings (epoxy, polyurethane, polyurea, etc.); Corrosion inhibitors;
Macro and integrative biology
Biomineralization mechanisms; Impacts of global climate change and ocean acidification; Larval behavior and settlement responses; Comparative assessments of fouling community composition over time and space.
Biofilms and microbial fouling
Marine biofilms; Aquatic microbial ecology; Micro-fouling; Microbial community structure; Bacterial primary colonization; Artificial and living surface colonization; Quorum sensing signaling.
Bioadhesion: natural and biomimetic adhesives
Adhesion mechanisms of macro/micro organisms; Molecular strategies and chemistry of marine adhesives; Bioinformatic approaches to characterize bioadhesives; Recombinant strategies to scale up and study natural adhesives; Larval settlement; Signalling.
Microbial induced corrosion
Microbiological and electrochemical approaches; Mechanisms and kinetics; Innovative methods for prevention; MIC on underwater cultural artifacts (Shipwrecks).
Fouling/corrosion in non-shipping applications
Fouling and corrosion on renewable power installations, desal plants, sensors, fixed platforms in offshore oil / gas, instruments, and aquaculture.
Biosecurity/invasive species
The transport of non-indigenous species via vessel biofouling and their associated impacts; New regulatory and technical developments; Opportunities for regional and international collaboration to strengthen global biofouling management.
Ship fouling management
Hull grooming (proactive management) and hull cleaning or treatment (reactive management); Science, efficacy, risks, benefits, barriers and opportunities associated with different types of management activities.
