Fouling on ships is the accumulation of unwanted plants or animals on submerged areas of the hull. This fouling may impact operation of the ship as well as provide a route for transport of invasive species. Fouling is particularly bad in areas of low flow such as sea chests and bow thruster spaces and these spaces are not easily accessed for cleaning. The Defence Technology Agency (DTA) of New Zealand, the Seeker for this Challenge, is interested in finding innovative new approaches to prevent fouling on ships with a particular interest in approaches that are effective in low flow areas.
Awards:-
lmost any surface submerged under water is subject to fouling, which is the growth of microorganisms, plants, algae, and small marine animals. Fouling on ship hulls impacts drag through water, can clog intakes, and is a primary route for the transport of invasive species from one ecosystem to another. Sea chests (recesses in ship hulls from which water is drawn for cooling, ballast etc.), bow thruster spaces, and other areas of low water flow are subject to particularly bad fouling and are typically not easy to inspect or access for cleaning. Antifouling paints that contain toxic elements have been used but have limited effectiveness in these areas and require periodic reapplication. Currently this fouling is addressed through periodic manual cleaning while the ship is in dry dock approximately every 2.5 years. The Seeker is searching for novel approaches and concepts to prevent fouling in low or no flow, hard to access areas of ship hulls.
This is an Ideation Challenge, which has the following unique features:
- There is a guaranteed award. The award(s) will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the Seeker. The total payout will be $15,000, with at least one award being no smaller than $5,000 and no award being smaller than $2,500.
- The Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive intellectual property rights to the Seeker. Rather, by submitting a proposal, the Solver grants to the Seeker a royalty-free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to use any information included in this proposal, including for promotional purposes.
Deadline:- 29-11-2021
