Eco Factor: Non-toxic coating to prevent metals from corroding in seawater.
Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have developed a new biological coating that could prevent metals such as ship hulls from corroding in seawater, without making any toxic additions to seawater. The ecofriendly coating works with the help of bacteria, which protects corrosion.
Corrosion in seawater is caused when metals react with minerals in the water and produce hydrogen sulfide. Current technologies make use of biocides and inhibitors to prevent the generation of hydrogen sulfide, but treating metals with these materials proves to be costly, ineffective and often causes toxicity to aquatic life.
Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University encapsulated spores from a bacterium into a sol-gel coating, which then protect aluminum alloy from microbial corrosion. The research could potentially save thousands of pounds, since it is estimated that corrosion costs the UK around 3-4 percent of GDP.
The Dark Side:
The research does seem to be an ecofriendly way to reduce metal corrosion and prevent aquatic life from harmful toxics existing technologies release. With fewer details on how the overall process works, we are skeptical about the time the sol-gel can stick onto the hulls of ships.
Via: TopNews
