Research Collaboration between UCC and DCU

A research collaboration with Prof. John Davenport and Dr. Rob McAllen from UCC is assessing the antifouling potential of new materials developed at DCU. Prof. Davenport has a considerable research interest in antifouling materials and expertise on many of the endemic fouling organisms present in Irish waters. Additionally, Dr. Rob McAllen of UCC runs a very active research programme in Lough Hyne Marine reserve in West Cork. High microorganism productivity coupled with a range of different energy environments means that materials can be tested under a range of hydrodynamic and environmental conditions. A range of bioinspired materials, developed at DCU based on the antifouling defences used by marine organisms to prevent fouling have been tested at Lough Hyne.

The facilities maintained by UCC include research boats, and a small research lab on the edge of the Lough, as well as an extensive buoy system that can be used to deploy materials. The summer of 2011 will see the deployment of a number of new environmental sensors acquired by the group here at DCU alongside the antifouling test panels at the Lough. It will also be an important research collaboration, as it should yield both data on the performance of the antifouling materials and contribute to a greater understanding of the processes that are occurring within the Lough in terms of biofouling organism distribution and settlement in relation to environmental parameters.