Development, Optimization, Biological Assays, and In Situ Field Immersion of a Transparent Piezoelectric Vibrating System for Antifouling Applications

This paper presents the development and experimentations of transparent vibrating piezoelectric micromembranes dedicated to protecting immersed measurement instruments from marine biofouling. As any surface is subject adhesion settlement organisms, especially in seawater, materials quickly become opaque, resulting deteriorated accuracy for optical sensors. According this, we developed a membrane promote biofouling detachment order reduce data quality drift frequency maintenance operations on deployed In first part, design, materials, steps manufacture demonstrators are described. Then, electromechanical characterizations carried out interpreted with support FEM simulations. The last part describes laboratory bioassays field immersion tests. Laboratory assess antifouling potential membranes by exposing their suspended bacterial solution. situ assays allow perform Mediterranean Sea effectiveness real conditions. showed great against solution, while tests confirmed effect micromembrane. Nevertheless, revealed troubles piezo driver actuating membranes, should be again an improved reveal full membranes. These set up efficient system