ClearSignal

ClearSignal Antifouling Protection System

Biofouling control is a key consideration for the deployment of marine instruments, and specialized platforms used for scientific, military, and commercial oceanographic sensing. The accumulation of biofouling decreases data quality, increases maintenance cost, and until now has limited the use of some sensor types and specialized platforms for long-term deployments. The ClearSignal antifouling protection system provides permanent protection for marine instrumentation and specialized long-term immersion platforms such as gliders and underwater barriers.

ClearSignal is a clear non-toxic rubber-like coating that resists biofouling as a result of the non-stick properties of the material itself. ClearSignal utilizes advanced material technology to achieve its properties and performances. The product is a permanent coating that is designed to last the life of the platform or instrument it is protecting. Unlike traditional antifouling systems which rely on active biocides and whose effectiveness degrades with time, ClearSignal remains 100% effective over time.

The ClearSignal biofouling control system is a result of a joint development effort by Severn Marine Technologies, LLC Annapolis, MD, and Mid Mountain Materials Inc. of Mercer Island, WA. The product was originally developed for the offshore seismic exploration industry with later adaptation for the larger oceanographic user community.
ClearSignal
The system is applied in a controlled facility using state-of-the-art industrial processes. The intended substrate and application methods are significant engineering design components of the ClearSignal system. The product formulation is also adjusted for the particular marine application.

ClearSignal is optically clear making it compatible for use on optical instruments. The product is also flexible, therefore allowing it to be used for underwater barriers and netting systems.

The characteristics of ClearSignal coatings are:

• Non-toxic
• Long-term effectiveness (no diminishing of efficacy over time)
• Optically clear – compatible with optical transducers, instruments housings retain all instruments markings and identification features
• Flexible – allowing its use on flexible substrates
• Last the lifetime of the instrument or substrate
• Significant reduction in labor hours for cleaning
• Robust coating able to withstand offshore use.