Understanding microbial drivers towards control of biofouling in marine aquaculture
Biofouling is a notorious and costly issue in marine aquaculture. The current best practice relies on mitigation of biofouling after its formation utilizing frequent manual cleaning incurring large operational expenditure and OH&S concerns. This PhD thesis aims to assess the practical feasibility of a novel silane-QAC-dendritic polymer coating that can prevent the formation of biofouling on fish pens and other marine infrastructure. Preliminary results showed that the coating strongly inhibited the growth of bacteria, providing strong evidence for the successful implementation in practice.
To evaluate its effectiveness, a comprehensive series of laboratory and field trials will be conducted to assess 1) the anti-biofouling performance 2) the coating stability and service life, and 3) the microbiological safety and efficacy. Based on the experimental results obtained in this PhD thesis, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis will be conducted.
Zoom link https://uqz.zoom.us/j/81697583668
About Confirmation Seminars 2020
The purpose of the confirmation milestone is to ensure that the candidate receives appropriate feedback in relation to the viability and progress of the thesis project and that the resources required to complete the program of research within the recommended timeframe are available.
It is also an opportunity to ensure that the candidate has demonstrated the capacity and capability to successfully complete the thesis in a timely manner.