A universal AC electrokinetics-based strategy toward surface antifouling of underwater optics

The practical applications of underwater optical devices, such as cameras or sensors, often suffer from widespread surface biofouling. Current antifouling techniques are primarily hindered by low efficiency, poor compatibility, as well as environmental pollution issues. This paper presents a transpa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2024-07, Vol.14 (1), p.16125-13, Article 16125
Main Authors: Jiang, Hao, Wang, Yan, Du, Fei, Stolte, Stefan, Specht, Uwe, Pesch, Georg R., Baune, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Alternative current electrokinetics
Antifouling substances
Asymmetric electrode array
Asymmetry
Biofouling
Efficiency
Electric fields
Electrodes
Electrostatic properties
Energy efficiency
Flow pattern
Fluid flow
Humanities and Social Sciences
multidisciplinary
Nanoparticles
Numerical simulations
Optics
Performance evaluation
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sediments
Sensors
Surface antifouling
Underwater
Underwater optics
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Summary:The practical applications of underwater optical devices, such as cameras or sensors, often suffer from widespread surface biofouling. Current antifouling techniques are primarily hindered by low efficiency, poor compatibility, as well as environmental pollution issues. This paper presents a transparent electrode coating as antifouling system of underwater optics as potential substitute for alternating current electrokinetic (ACEK)-based systems. A strong-coupling model is established to predict the Joule heating induced fluid flows and the negative dielectrophoretic (nDEP) effect for mobilizing organisms or deposited sediments on optic surfaces. The performance of the proposed antifouling system is numerically evaluated through simulations of electrostatic, fluid and temperature fields as well as trajectories of submicron particles, which is then experimentally verified and found to be in good agreement. A parametric study revealed that the degree of electrodes asymmetry is the key factor affecting the flow pattern and therefore the overall performance of the system. This ACEK-based universal strategy is expected to shed light on designing high performance and non-toxic platforms toward energy-efficient surface antifouling applications of underwater optics.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-66251-2