b'Case Study USING SYNTHETIC MATERIALS TO MODEL MARINE BIOFILMSSupporting the next generation of scientific leadersMarine biofilms can cause up to an 11% increase in ship shaft power which has environmental and economic consequences. As biofilms are heterogeneous and adaptable, rigid models are often used as a benchmark for studying biofilm associated drag; however, these models neglect natural biofilm behaviour, such as viscoelasticity which could lead to under-estimations in drag penalty. Understanding how biofilms properties interact with one another and with fluid flow, and howMicroscope image taken of a marine biofilm grown on a static these interactions influence drag can further researchcircular coupon (4 cm dia.) in Hartlepool Marina. Algal components can be seen in red, diatom chains in orange and to the bottom right on strategies for managing and preventing biofilman animal can be seen. Image by Alexandra Snowdon.presence can be used to inform the shipping industry of more efficient biofilm targets. more appropriate substitute for modelling viscoelastic biofilms and highlights how systems that only capture An NBIC-funded Proof of Concept (POC) projectrigid roughness could be underestimating drag.between the University of Southampton and AkzoNobel investigated the use of synthetic materials to modelAlexandra has recently completed her PhD and two marine biofilms. Alexandra Snowdon was part of theacademic papers have already been published and AkzoNobel team working on the POC. She then went onacted as milestones for the project. The first was on to study as an NBIC BITE student, with the results of thedeveloping the artificial biofilm system to demonstrate POC project forming the basis of her PhD. how softer and deformable materials could better mimic marine biofilm properties than rigid ones; the Her research focused on marine biofilm physico- second was on studying the rheological properties mechanics and the effects these have on ship-dragof marine biofilms to demonstrate marine biofilm using artificial and real-life systems. By using imagingviscoelasticity and the relationship this has with techniques in conjunction with a flow cell the group werestructure. Dr Jennifer Longyear from AkzoNobel said,able to capture biofilm physico-mechanical properties in-situ in real time whilst measuring drag. It was concludedAlexs work forms a strong foundation for expanded that marine biofilms are viscoelastic, that viscoelasticityquantitative analysis of the contribution of biofilm plays a significant role in drag production and that itmechanics to marine biofilm fouling hydrodynamic shares complex interactions with biofilm structure. drag properties. Her work is an exciting development as this research topic is challenging to approach It was also shown that an elastomeric sandpaperexperimentally. We have adopted Alexs methodologies model system produced up to a 52% increase in dragand anticipate future work will lead to further insight when compared to rigid counterparts; the model alsoregarding ship slime drag.simulated drag curves and relationships between physico-mechanical properties like that observedSince completing her PhD, Alexandra has started for naturally grown marine biofilms. As a result, itworking as a Statistical Data Scientist at the Office for is believed that the synthetic system proposed is aNational Statistics.Alexandra SnowdonAlexandra Snowdon has recently completed an industrial-sponsored PhD with the University of Southampton and AkzoNobel. Her research involved studying marine biofilm physico-mechanics and the effects these have on ship-drag using artificial and real-life systems. Alexandras supervisors from the University of Southampton were Paul Stoodley, Julian Wharton and Simon Dennington and from AkzoNobel, Jennifer Longyear.51'