SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE ANTIFOUL MARINE COATINGS

MEAD TECHNOLOGIES, INC. PROPOSES TO SYNTHESIZE FILM FORMING BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS SPECIFICALLY A SERIES OF POLYLATIC AND POLYGLYCOLIC ACID COPOLYMERS, TO SERVE AS PRIMARY VEHICLES FOR ANTIFOUL MARINE COATINGS. THE COATINGS ARE NON-METAL-CONTAINING FILMS WHICH WILL CONTROLLABLY REACT WITH SEA WATER AT THE DESIRED RATE TO CONTINUOUSLY PROVIDE ANEW SURFACE FOR FURTHER EROSION. THE PRODUCTS OF THE DEGRADATION WILL PROVIDE A LOCALIZED PH UNFAVORABLE TO BARNACLE AND WEED ATTACHMENT WHILE NOT PRODUCING POLLUTANTS OR BIOLOGICAL TOXINS. ADDITIONALLY THE POLYMERS EXHIBIT EXCELLENT ABRAISION AND OIL RESISTANCE. "IN VITRO" AND "IN VIVO" TESTING OF COATED PANELS IN SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL SEA WATER SHOULD CLEARLY ESTABLISH THECOMMERCIAL POTENTIAL AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DATA FOR OPTIMIZATION AND SCALE-UP OF THE POLYMER SYNTHESIS IN A FOLLOW UP PHASE II.