Development and Field Research on Next Generation Coatings for Mussel Mitigation on Infrastructure

Project ID: 19196
Principal Investigator: Carter Gulsvig
Research Topic: Invasive Species
Funded Fiscal Years: 2019, 2020 and 2021
Keywords: None

Research Question

Can new technologies be developed and scaled up to commercialization that have foul release properties, preventing
attachment of quagga and zebra mussels, while maintaining durability protecting infrastructure?
PNNL and USACE will be researching and developing new durable foul release coatings. USBR will provide support
by sharing its knowledge and expertise it has learned during its past 10 years of researching foul release coatings and
USBR will provide a site for field testing. Products that perform well in laboratory testing will be tested in the field on
testing racks or scaled up on infrastructure.

Need and Benefit

Invasive mussels are causing great impacts on the ability to deliver water on schedule and costing USBR funds each
year in cleaning and repair cost. The coatings group has been proven that foul release coatings (FRC) prevent
mussels from attaching to surfaces. The issue with the silicone FRC is the lack of durability.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Please contact research@usbr.gov about research products related to this project.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20