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Title:
Effective antifouling technology for improving environmental and energy performance of submerged water surfaces and systems |
Abstract:
Fouling is a prevalent issue in seawater, as it involves the accumulation and growth of microorganisms like barnacles and tubeworms on submerged objects. To prevent fouling on surfaces underwater, antifouling paints are typically applied to boats, yachts, and seawater cooling gates. This not only enhances the speed of ships but also improves the efficiency of water-cooled air conditioning systems. Traditionally, antifouling paints containing tributyltin (TBT) or heavy metals have been used to kill microorganisms in seawater and provide an anti-fouling effect. However, due to their toxic nature, the usage of TBT materials has been banned. Heavy metals, although still permitted in antifouling paints, can contribute to pollution in the marine environment and disrupt the food chain. In this speech, I shall first discuss the general materials used for fouling protection and their limitations. Furthermore, a newly developed nano-sized photocatalytic coating that effectively controls the growth of microorganisms on yacht hulls and seawater gates will be introduced. By utilizing these materials, the need for frequent removal of deposited microorganisms is minimized, reducing maintenance costs and improving fuel efficiency. Towards the end of the talk, the prospects of applying these photocatalytic materials to control antifouling on other marine structures will be explored. |
Biography:
Prof. Dennis Y.C. Leung received his BEng (1982) and PhD (1988) from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong. He had worked with the Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. for five years heading the air pollution section of the company before joining the University of Hong Kong in 1993. Professor Leung is now a full professor and ex-Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering specializing in environmental engineering and renewable & clean energy. He has published more than 500 articles in these two areas including 360+ peer reviewed SCI journal papers. His current h-index is 88 and total citations are 42,000+. He is one of the top 1% highly cited scientists in the world in energy field since 2010 (Essential Science Indicators) and named as Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics for the past six years consecutively from 2017 to 2022. Prof. Leung has delivered more than 80 keynote and invited lectures in many international conferences.
Prof. Leung is a chartered engineer, a fellow of the IMechE, Energy Institute and HKIE. He was also the Past Chairman of the Institute of Energy (HK Branch), and currently serves as an editorial board member of a number of journals including Applied Energy, Energy Conversion and Management, and Applied Sciences. Prof. Leung also serves as a board member of the Hong Kong Institution of Science, chairman and member of a few committees of the HKSAR government and government’s appeal board panels related to sustainable energy and environment.
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