The European Commission granted a project which aims to develop a biomimetic hull coating that reduces the frictional resistance of ships. A team of ten European scientists and industry experts led by the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Technologies and Services will receive a total grant of 5.3 million Euro to develop the AIRCOAT prototype.
AIRCOAT (Air Induced friction Reducing ship COATing) develops a passive air lubrication technology that uses the biomimetic Salvinia effect. The Salvinia effect allows the Salvinia plant, a fern floating on the water, to breathe under water by keeping a permanent layer of air. The project will implement this effect on a self-adhesive foil system.
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The three-year project will start on May 1st 2018 and will receive a total grant of 5.3 million Euro from the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 framework addressing the topic Innovations for energy efficiency and emission control in water transport.
The consortium will perform a full-scale validation process to investigate and demonstrate the economic and environmental benefit of this project
