Abstract
This paper presents the development and experimentations of transparent vibrating piezoelectric micromembranes dedicated to protecting immersed measurement instruments from marine biofouling. As any surface immersed is subject to the adhesion and settlement of organisms, especially in seawater, transparent materials quickly become opaque, resulting in deteriorated accuracy for optical sensors. According to this, we developed a transparent vibrating membrane to promote biofouling detachment in order to reduce the data quality drift and the frequency of maintenance operations on deployed optical sensors. In the first part, the design, the materials, and the steps to manufacture demonstrators are described. Then, the electromechanical characterizations of the demonstrators are carried out and interpreted with the support of FEM simulations. The last part describes the laboratory bioassays and the field immersion tests. Laboratory bioassays assess the antifouling potential of the vibrating piezoelectric membranes by exposing their surface to a suspended bacterial solution. In situ assays allow the membrane to perform in the Mediterranean Sea to assess their effectiveness in real conditions. Laboratory bioassays showed a great potential against the adhesion and settlement of a bacterial solution, while in situ tests confirmed the antifouling effect of piezoelectric vibrating micromembrane. Nevertheless, in situ experimentations revealed troubles with the piezo driver actuating the vibrating membranes, and tests should be carried out again with an improved piezo driver to reveal the full potential of the vibrating membranes. These are the first steps to set up an efficient antifouling vibrating system for immersed optical sensors.
Highlights
Introduction iationsAny immersed surface in aquatic ecosystems, and in seawater, is subject to the adhesion and settlement of organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or invertebrates
We developed transparent vibrating membranes based on piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) actuators to allow larger vibration amplitudes, and expect a larger antifouling effect
For each zone of the membranes, the average of adhered bacteria is compared between the vibrating membranes and the control membranes to evaluate the antiadhesion effect of vibrations
Summary
Any immersed surface in aquatic ecosystems, and in seawater, is subject to the adhesion and settlement of organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or invertebrates. This natural and complex process is known as biofouling. When the environmental conditions are met, the adhesion of microorganisms on the materials and their multiplication leads to the formation of a film on the surface of the materials. This formation takes place in several stages and shows a quick development, which starts a few minutes after the immersion [1].
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