In dieser Arbeit werden Modellsysteme der Wechselwirkung von Atomen, Molekülen und deren Ionen mit Festkörperoberflächen studiert. Die Dissertation besteht aus drei Teilen. Im ersten Teil werden Experimente zur Streuung von He0 und He+ mit keV Energien unter streifendem Einfall an Al(111), Al(100) und Al(110) vorgestellt. Anteile überlebender Ionen und Verschiebungen der Winkelverteilungen für einlaufende Atome und Ionen sind in guter Übereinstimmung mit theoretischen Auger-Neutralisationsraten und He-1s-Grundzustandsenergieverschiebungen. Damit liegt ein detailliertes mikroskopisches Verständnis dieses Modellsystems der Atom-Oberflächen-Wechselwirkung vor. Die Studien wurden auf Edelgase und Oberflächen mit komplexerer elektronischer Struktur sowie Ionisationsprozesse erweitert. Im zweiten Teil wird die Formierung von doppelt-angeregten He-Atomen bei der Streuung von He2+ an Ni(110) und Fe(110) mittels Autoionisationsspektren studiert. Diese zeigen eine ausgeprägte Sensitivität auf die Belegung der Oberflächen mit Adsorbaten und deren Umordnung, Desorption bzw. Lösung im Volumen des Festkörpers bei Erhöhung der Temperatur. In diesem Rahmen ergibt sich eine alternative Interpretation aktueller Arbeiten, in denen Autoionisationsspektren zur Ableitung der Spin-Polarisation von Ni- und und Fe-Oberflächen verwendet wurden. Im dritten Teil werden Winkelverteilungen, Fragmentspektren und Ladungsanteile für die streifende Streuung von C60-Molekülionen mit an Al(100), Be(0001) und LiF(100) studiert. Es wird gezeigt, dass die elastischen Eigenschaften des Fullerens durch Metalloberflächen stark modifiziert werden. Anhand von Verschiebungen von Winkelverteilungen für einfach- und zweifach-geladene einlaufende Ionen werden erstmalig Abstände des Elektroneneinfangs für positiv geladene Fullerenionen vor Metalloberflächen gemessen. Für LiF(100) treten ausgeprägte Anregungen der Moleküle durch das periodische elektrische Feld der Oberfläche auf. / This work is devoted to the study of model systems for the interaction of atoms, molecules, and their ions with solid surfaces. The thesis consists of three parts. In the first part, He atoms and ions with keV energies are scattered under grazing angles of incidence from Al(111), Al(100), and Al(110). Fractions of surviving ions and shifts of angular distributions for incident atoms and ions, are in good agreement with theoretically calculated Auger neutralization rates and He 1s ground-state energy shifts. A detailed microscopic understanding for a model system of ion-surface interactions is concluded. The studies are extended to noble gas atoms and surfaces with a more complex electronic structure as well as the Auger ionization process. In the second set of experiments, the formation of doubly excited states of He atoms during collisions of He2+ ions with Ni(110) and Fe(110) is studied via autoionization spectra. The electron spectra show a pronounced dependence on the coverage of the target surface with adsorbates. Thermal desorption and dissolution of surface contaminations into the bulk at elevated temperatures provide an alternative interpretation of recent work where the local electron spin polarization of Ni and Fe surfaces was deduced from autoionization spectra. In the third part, angular distributions, fragmentation, and charge fractions are studied for grazing scattering of C60 fullerene ions from Al(100), Be(0001), and LiF(100). A strong perturbation of the elastic properties of the fullerene by a nearby metal surface is demonstrated. Shifts of angular distributions for incident singly and doubly charged ions for the metal surfaces provide the first information on distances of electron transfer for positively charged fullerenes in front of metal surfaces. For the LiF(100) surface, pronounced internal excitations due to interactions with the periodic electric field at the surface are observed.

A estabilidade de vesículas unilamelares gigantes (GUVs) foi monitorada através de microscopia de contraste de fase e de fluorescência, com o auxílio de gradientes de açúcares, do fluoróforo 1,3,6,8 pireno tetrasulfonato de sódio (PTS), do supressor de fluorescência cloreto de 1,1\'-dimetil-4,4\'-bipiridínio (MV) e do análogo lipídico fluorescente 2-(12-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-il) amino) dodecanoil-1-hexadecanoil-sn-glicero-3-fosfocolina (NBD-PC). Uma grande variabilidade no comportamento individual das GUVs foi obtida no que tange a: (i) manutenção do meio interno; (ii) interações da bicamada lipídica com superfícies e; (iii) estruturas lipídicas conectadas à bicamada. Os resultados experimentais podem ser explicados pelo aparecimento de poros transientes formados pelo aumento da tensão da bicamada lipídica das GUVs. Após o processo de geração de tensão na bicamada, poros são abertos para relaxação desta tensão, com concomitante efluxo da solução internalizada pela GUV, devido a pressão de Laplace. Com a diminuição do volume interno, a tensão da bicamada é relaxada e o fechamento dos poros guiado pela tensão de linha, minimizando o componente energético de curvatura dos lipídios nas bordas do poro. O modelo de poros transientes explica resultados como troca de massa entre meios interno e externo das GUVs, possibilidade da existência de fluxos unilaterais em GUVs, transitoriedade dos poros, diâmetro limite dos poros e manutenção do meio interno em GUVs após abertura e fechamento de poros. / The stability of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) has been monitored by phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy, using sugar gradients, sodium 1,3,6,8 pirene tetrasulfonate (PTS) as fluorescent probe, 1,1\'-dimethyl-4,4\'-bipiridinium chloride (MV) as fluorescence quencher and 2-(12-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-il) amino) dodecanoyl-1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glicero-3-phosphocholine (NBD-PC) as fluorescent lipid analog. An accentuated variability in the individual behaviour of GUVs was observed as far as (i) stability of encapsulation; (ii) lipid bilayer-surface interactions and; (iii) lipid structures connected to GUVs are concerned. Experimental results can be explained by transient pores formation due to an increase in lipid bilayer tension. After processes of bilayer tension generation, pores are opened, while effluxes of GUVs internal solution are promoted by Laplace pressure. With the internal volume decrease, bilayer tension is relaxed and pores closure guided by line tension, minimizing the energetic component of lipid curvature in pore edges. Transient pores model explains experimental results such as mass exchange between internal and external GUVs media, GUVs effluxes, pores\' lifetime, pores diameter\'s limit and stability of GUV encapsulation after opening and closure of pores.

Les interactions plasma surface (PSI) sont considérées comme l'un des défis scientifiques majeurs de la fusion nucléaire magnétique contrôlée. L'interaction entre les isotopes d'hydrogène et les matériaux de l’enceinte à plasma tels que le tungstène revêt une importance particulière. Le coefficient de perte en surface des isotopes atomiques (γ) est un point clé dans les études PSI. Il peut donner des informations sur le recyclage de l'hydrogène atomique à la paroi et constitue ainsi un paramètre clé dans les modélisations des interactions plasma surface. Le but de ce projet est de déterminer les coefficients de perte de surface de l'hydrogène atomique et du deutérium sur échantillons de tungstène (W) et de nitrure de tungstène (WN) en utilisant une technique de fluorescence induite par plasma (PIF) et une technique de fluorescence induite par laser à deux photons (TALIF). Ce projet s'effectue dans le réacteur CAMITER qui est un réacteur plasma radiofréquence à basse pression au laboratoire PIIM de l'Université Aix-Marseille. / Plasma surface interaction (PSI) is considered to be one of the key scientific challenges in nuclear fusion. The interaction between hydrogen isotopes and plasma-facing materials such as tungsten is of particular importance. The atomic hydrogen isotope surface loss coefficient (γ) is a key point in PSI studies. It can give information on hydrogen isotope inventory and is an important input for modeling and theoretical work. The aim of this project is to determine atomic hydrogen and deuterium surface loss coefficients on tungsten (W) sample by using two-photon-absorption laser induced fluorescence (TALIF) and pulsed induced fluorescence (PIF) technique. This project is carried out in CAMITER reactor which is a low-pressure radio-frequency ICP reactor at PIIM laboratory in Aix-Marseille University.

Depuis la fin des années 80, les plasmas poussiéreux sont l’objet d’un grand nombre d’études. Plusieurs domaines de la physique des plasmas sont confrontés à la présence de ces particules: en astrophysique, dans les procédés de dépôt ou de gravure, dans les plasmas de fusion thermonucléaire contrôlée. Les plasmas poussiéreux ont très peu été étudiés dans des décharges micro-onde basse pression. Il y a une quinzaine d’années encore, il était admis que les probabilités de recombinaisons d’espèces réactives en volume étaient négligeables à cause de la faible densité du gaz. Au LAPLACE, des poussières incandescentes sont observées en plasma RCER d’acétylène. La présente étude a pour objectif d’apporter des éléments de réponses sur les mécanismes liés à la formation, au transport et au chauffage de ces poussières. Ce document présente les résultats obtenus durant ces 4 années de thèse. Le chapitre 1 introduit brièvement l’émergence de la thématique des plasmas poussiéreux, ainsi que certains aspects théoriques importants des décharges multipolaires. Le chapitre 2 détaille le dispositif expérimental ainsi que les différents diagnostiques utilisés durant cette étude: sonde de Langmuir, sonde de Mach, sonde de flux aux parois et imagerie rapide. Le chapitre 3 présente en détail les mécanismes de chargement et de chauffage des poussières. Dans cette partie, des mesures expérimentales ainsi qu’un modèle sont couplés afin d’expliquer l’incandescence et d’estimer la charge des particules. Le chapitre 4 décrit la caractérisation du transport des poussières dans une plasma d’acétylène par imagerie rapide. Dans ce chapitre, nous discutons des forces pouvant être responsables de ce transport. Enfin, le chapitre 5 passe en revue les résultats obtenus sur l’interaction plasma surface, à l’aide d’analyses ex-situ ainsi que des mesures de sondes de flux aux parois. / Since the late 1980s, dusty plasmas have been the subject of a large number of studies. Several fields of plasma physics are confronted with the presence of these particles: astrophysics, deposition or etching processes, or controlled thermonuclear fusion plasmas. However, few dusty plasma studies have been reported in low pressure microwave discharges. Fifteen years ago, it was accepted that dust particles cannot be formed in the plasma volume, due to the low probability of recombining reactive species, because of the low density of the gas. At LAPLACE, incandescent dusts are observed in RECR acetylene plasma. The present study aims to provide some answers on the mechanisms related to the formation, transportation and heating of dust particles. This document presents the results obtained during these four years of theses. Chapter 1 briefly introduces the emergence of the topic of dusty plasmas, as well as some important theoretical aspects of multipolar discharges. Chapter 2 details the experimental setup and the different diagnostics used during this study: Langmuir probe, Mach probe, wall probe current and rapid imaging. Chapter 3 details the mechanisms for charging and heating dust. In this part, experimental measurements and a model are coupled to explain the incandescence and to estimate the particles charges. Chapter 4 describes the characterisation of dust transport in acetylene plasma by rapid imaging. In this chapter, we discuss the forces that can be responsible for this transport. Finally, Chapter 5 reviews the results obtained on the plasma-surface interaction, using ex-situ analyzes as well as measurements of wall probe currents.

Thermal and quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic near field of atoms and macroscopic bodies play a key role in quantum electrodynamics (QED), as in the Lamb shift. They lead, e.g., to atomic level shifts, dispersion interactions (Van der Waals-Casimir-Polder interactions), and state broadening (Purcell effect) because the field is subject to boundary conditions. Such effects can be observed with high precision on the mesoscopic scale which can be accessed in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and solid-state-based magnetic microtraps for cold atoms (‘atom chips’). A quantum field theory of atoms (molecules) and photons is adapted to nonequilibrium situations. Atoms and photons are described as fully quantized while macroscopic bodies can be included in terms of classical reflection amplitudes, similar to the scattering approach of cavity QED. The formalism is applied to the study of nonequilibrium two-body potentials. We then investigate the impact of the material properties of metals on the electromagnetic surface noise, with applications to atomic trapping in atom-chip setups and quantum computing, and on the magnetic dipole contribution to the Van der Waals-Casimir-Polder potential in and out of thermal equilibrium. In both cases, the particular properties of superconductors are of high interest. Surface-mode contributions, which dominate the near-field fluctuations, are discussed in the context of the (partial) dynamic atomic dressing after a rapid change of a system parameter and in the Casimir interaction between two conducting plates, where nonequilibrium configurations can give rise to repulsion. / Thermische und Quantenfluktuationen des elektromagnetischen Nahfelds von Atomen und makroskopischen Körpern spielen eine Schlüsselrolle in der Quantenelektrodynamik (QED), wie etwa beim Lamb-Shift. Sie führen z.B. zur Verschiebung atomarer Energieniveaus, Dispersionswechselwirkungen (Van der Waals-Casimir-Polder-Wechselwirkungen) und Zustandsverbreiterungen (Purcell-Effekt), da das Feld Randbedingungen unterliegt. Mikroelektromechanische Systeme (MEMS) und festkörperbasierte magnetische Fallen für kalte Atome (‘Atom-Chips’) ermöglichen den Zugang zu mesoskopischen Skalen, auf denen solche Effekte mit hoher Genauigkeit beobachtet werden können. Eine Quantenfeldtheorie für Atome (Moleküle) und Photonen wird an Nichtgleichgewichtssituationen angepasst. Atome und Photonen werden durch vollständig quantisierte Felder beschrieben, während die Beschreibung makroskopischer Körper, ähnlich wie im Streuformalismus (scattering approach) der Resonator-QED, durch klassische Streuamplituden erfolgt. In diesem Formalismus wird das Nichtgleich- gewichts-Zweiteilchenpotential diskutiert. Anschließend wird der Einfluss der Materialeigenschaften von normalen Metallen auf das elektromagnetische Oberflächenrauschen, das für magnetische Fallen für kalte Atome auf Atom-Chips und für Quantencomputer-Anwendungen von Bedeutung ist, sowie auf den Beitrag des magnetischen Dipolmoments zum Van der Waals-Casimir-Polder-Potential im thermisch- en Gleichgewicht und in Nichtgleichgewichtssituationen untersucht. In beiden Fällen sind die speziellen Eigenschaften von Supraleitern von besonderem Interesse. Beiträge von Oberflächenmoden, die die Feldfluktuationen im Nahfeld dominieren, werden im Kontext des (partiellen) dynamischen Dressing nach einer raschen Änderung eines Systemparameters sowie für die Casimir-Wechselwirkung zweier metallischer Platten diskutiert, zwischen denen in Nichtgleichgewichtssituationen Abstoßung auftreten kann.

The colonization of immersed surfaces by a myriad of marine organisms is a complex, multi-stage, species-specific process giving rise to economic and environmental costs. This unwanted accumulation of organisms in the marine environment, called biofouling, has been attacked from different fronts, going from the ‘problem-elimination-as-problem-solving’ strategy (essentially through the use of biocides) to more elaborated and environmentally-friendly options based on the principle of ‘non-stick’ or ‘easy foul-release’ surfaces, which do not jeopardize marine life viability. Several marine organisms rely on proteinaceous adhesives to secure a holdfast to surfaces. Proteolytic enzymes have been demonstrated to be effective agents against settlement and settlement consolidation onto surfaces of marine bacteria, algae, and invertebrates, their proposed mode-of-action being the enzymatic degradation of the proteinaceous components of the adhesives. So far, however, the evidence remains inconclusive since most of the published investigations refer to commercial preparations where the enzyme is mixed with other components, like additives, which obviously act as additional experimental variables. This work aims at providing clear, conclusive evidence about the potential of serine proteases to target the adhesives produced by a group of model marine biofoulers. The strategy towards the goal consisted in the preparation and characterization of maleic anhydride copolymer nanocoatings modified by a surface-bound enzyme, Subtilisin A, the active constituent of the commercial preparations reported as effective against biofouling. The enzyme-containing maleic anhydride copolymer films were characterized (enzyme surface concentration, activity, stability, roughness and wettability) and thereafter tested in biological assays with three major biofoulers: spores of the green alga Ulva linza, cells of the pennate diatom Navicula perminuta, and cyprid larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. The purpose of the biological assays was to elucidate the efficacy of the immobilized catalyst to discourage settlement and/or to facilitate removal of these organisms from the bioactive layers. Results confirmed the initial hypotheses related to the enzymatic degradation of the biological adhesives: the immobilized protease was effective at reducing the adhesion strength of Ulva spores and Navicula diatoms in a manner that correlated with the enzyme activity and surface concentration, and deterred settlement of Balanus amphitrite barnacle cyprids even at the lowest surface activity tested. By facilitating the removal of biofilm-forming diatoms and of spores of the troublesome alga Ulva linza, as well as by interfering with the consolidation of adhesion of the calcareous Balanus amphitrite macrofouler, the enzyme-containing coatings here disclosed are considered to constitute an appealing and promising alternative to control marine biofouling without jeopardizing marine life.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:14:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2614177 bytes, checksum: 64cd8eee6f69230497da81e691be96a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-11-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Interactions with surfaces modify internal and external liberty degrees of atoms next to these surfaces. The dominant long range interaction (which extends itselfs to about an atomic transition wavelength is the van der Waals interaction, usually attractive. Firstly, this thesis treats C3 coefficient, which is characteristic of this interaction and depends on the type of surface and temperature. Other theme is determination of this coefficient using a spectroscopic technique (Selective Reflection) in the atomic cesium system (6S1=2 - 8P3=2 transition) on a dielectric surface. This interaction allows the long range excitation transfer (Förster effect) from atom to the dispersive dielectric surface. Considering small distances (atomic dimensions), interaction becomes repulsive because of electronic orbital overlap between the atom and surface components. The sum of these two kinds of interaction (far and close range) results in a potential well, with discrete energy levels. Next, are presented results of simulations on optic transfer from free atoms to atom-surface bounded states. The radiation sources used on the experiments to evidence atom-surface effects described in the first part of this thesis are resonant diode lasers, with spectral characteristics that must be modified on the laboratory to became useful tools to perform high resolution experiments. The Part II treats diode lasers, beginning from stabilization techniques description and going to a new technique developed on the laboratory during doctoral work, where the laser frequency is controlled by an coupled optical orthogonal feedback with atomic transition to diode. Other effects related to this stabilization technique, as the bi-stability phenomena, are described and interpreted on the last chapter. / Interações dos átomos com superfícies modificam os graus de liberdade internos e externos desses átomos quando próximos a elas. A interação dominante de longo alcance (até a ordem do comprimento de onda das transições atômicas) é a interação de van derWaals, geralmente atrativa. Nesta tese é abordado o coeficiente C3, característico dessa interação e dependente da superfície e temperatura, determinado através do uso de uma técnica espectroscópica (Reflexão Seletiva). Trata-se também da transferência de excitação de longo alcance (efeito Förster) do átomo para a superfície. A curtas distâncias (dimensões atômicas), a interação torna-se repulsiva, devido à sobreposição dos orbitais eletrônicos do átomo incidente e dos constituintes da superfície. A soma das contribuições de curto e de longo alcance resulta em um poço de potencial com níveis discretos de energia que são simulados em uma transferência ótica para esses estados ligados. As fontes de radiação utilizadas nas experiências da primeira parte desta tese são lasers de diodo ressonantes, cujas características espectrais precisam ser modificadas no laboratório para eles se tornarem ferramentas adequadas para a realização de tais experiências de espectroscopia de alta resolução. A Parte II da tese trata de diodos lasers, iniciando com a descrição de técnicas de estabilização e chegando a uma nova técnica desenvolvida no laboratório durante este trabalho de doutorado, onde a freqüência do laser é controlada através de um retorno ótico com polarização ortogonal no diodo acoplado à transição atômica. Outros efeitos relacionados a essa técnica de estabilização, como o fenômeno de bi-estabilidade, são descritos e interpretados no último capítulo desta tese.

A estabilidade de vesículas unilamelares gigantes (GUVs) foi monitorada através de microscopia de contraste de fase e de fluorescência, com o auxílio de gradientes de açúcares, do fluoróforo 1,3,6,8 pireno tetrasulfonato de sódio (PTS), do supressor de fluorescência cloreto de 1,1\'-dimetil-4,4\'-bipiridínio (MV) e do análogo lipídico fluorescente 2-(12-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-il) amino) dodecanoil-1-hexadecanoil-sn-glicero-3-fosfocolina (NBD-PC). Uma grande variabilidade no comportamento individual das GUVs foi obtida no que tange a: (i) manutenção do meio interno; (ii) interações da bicamada lipídica com superfícies e; (iii) estruturas lipídicas conectadas à bicamada. Os resultados experimentais podem ser explicados pelo aparecimento de poros transientes formados pelo aumento da tensão da bicamada lipídica das GUVs. Após o processo de geração de tensão na bicamada, poros são abertos para relaxação desta tensão, com concomitante efluxo da solução internalizada pela GUV, devido a pressão de Laplace. Com a diminuição do volume interno, a tensão da bicamada é relaxada e o fechamento dos poros guiado pela tensão de linha, minimizando o componente energético de curvatura dos lipídios nas bordas do poro. O modelo de poros transientes explica resultados como troca de massa entre meios interno e externo das GUVs, possibilidade da existência de fluxos unilaterais em GUVs, transitoriedade dos poros, diâmetro limite dos poros e manutenção do meio interno em GUVs após abertura e fechamento de poros. / The stability of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) has been monitored by phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy, using sugar gradients, sodium 1,3,6,8 pirene tetrasulfonate (PTS) as fluorescent probe, 1,1\'-dimethyl-4,4\'-bipiridinium chloride (MV) as fluorescence quencher and 2-(12-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-il) amino) dodecanoyl-1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glicero-3-phosphocholine (NBD-PC) as fluorescent lipid analog. An accentuated variability in the individual behaviour of GUVs was observed as far as (i) stability of encapsulation; (ii) lipid bilayer-surface interactions and; (iii) lipid structures connected to GUVs are concerned. Experimental results can be explained by transient pores formation due to an increase in lipid bilayer tension. After processes of bilayer tension generation, pores are opened, while effluxes of GUVs internal solution are promoted by Laplace pressure. With the internal volume decrease, bilayer tension is relaxed and pores closure guided by line tension, minimizing the energetic component of lipid curvature in pore edges. Transient pores model explains experimental results such as mass exchange between internal and external GUVs media, GUVs effluxes, pores\' lifetime, pores diameter\'s limit and stability of GUV encapsulation after opening and closure of pores.

The colonization of immersed surfaces by a myriad of marine organisms is a complex, multi-stage, species-specific process giving rise to economic and environmental costs. This unwanted accumulation of organisms in the marine environment, called biofouling, has been attacked from different fronts, going from the ‘problem-elimination-as-problem-solving’ strategy (essentially through the use of biocides) to more elaborated and environmentally-friendly options based on the principle of ‘non-stick’ or ‘easy foul-release’ surfaces, which do not jeopardize marine life viability. Several marine organisms rely on proteinaceous adhesives to secure a holdfast to surfaces. Proteolytic enzymes have been demonstrated to be effective agents against settlement and settlement consolidation onto surfaces of marine bacteria, algae, and invertebrates, their proposed mode-of-action being the enzymatic degradation of the proteinaceous components of the adhesives. So far, however, the evidence remains inconclusive since most of the published investigations refer to commercial preparations where the enzyme is mixed with other components, like additives, which obviously act as additional experimental variables. This work aims at providing clear, conclusive evidence about the potential of serine proteases to target the adhesives produced by a group of model marine biofoulers. The strategy towards the goal consisted in the preparation and characterization of maleic anhydride copolymer nanocoatings modified by a surface-bound enzyme, Subtilisin A, the active constituent of the commercial preparations reported as effective against biofouling. The enzyme-containing maleic anhydride copolymer films were characterized (enzyme surface concentration, activity, stability, roughness and wettability) and thereafter tested in biological assays with three major biofoulers: spores of the green alga Ulva linza, cells of the pennate diatom Navicula perminuta, and cyprid larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. The purpose of the biological assays was to elucidate the efficacy of the immobilized catalyst to discourage settlement and/or to facilitate removal of these organisms from the bioactive layers. Results confirmed the initial hypotheses related to the enzymatic degradation of the biological adhesives: the immobilized protease was effective at reducing the adhesion strength of Ulva spores and Navicula diatoms in a manner that correlated with the enzyme activity and surface concentration, and deterred settlement of Balanus amphitrite barnacle cyprids even at the lowest surface activity tested. By facilitating the removal of biofilm-forming diatoms and of spores of the troublesome alga Ulva linza, as well as by interfering with the consolidation of adhesion of the calcareous Balanus amphitrite macrofouler, the enzyme-containing coatings here disclosed are considered to constitute an appealing and promising alternative to control marine biofouling without jeopardizing marine life.

No description available.