Microscopic patterns found on many plants and animals have functional properties that have evolved over millions of years. For example, sharks have thousands of microscopic overlapping ‘scales’ that reduce drag, allowing them to glide swiftly and silently through the water. MicroTau’s innovative Direct Contactless Microfabrication (DCM) technique turns these functional microstructures into UV curable coatings that can be applied to many surfaces, from aeroplanes to ships.
Developed initially with the United States Air Force, along with funding from the Australian Government Department of Defence, MicroTau’s drag reduction products have the potential to reduce the billions of dollars spent each year on aircraft and shipping fuel. Now, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Physical Sciences Fund will support MicroTau’s certification program for its drag-reducing Riblet Package for narrowbody airliners with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Microscopy Australia’s facilities have played a key role in the development of this technology, and they continue to play a role as MicroTau develops new microstructures and techniques. Fellow NCRIS facility, the Australian National Fabrication Facility, have also been instrumental in the development of this technology.
At our University of Sydney facility, MicroTau are now collaborating with Prof. Chiara Neto and her research team to test new microstructures for anti-fouling of ships. Anti-fouling involves inhibiting the growth of marine life, such as barnacles, on the hulls of ships, which increases drag and therefore fuel costs. Our scanning electron microscopes were used to examine and compare different hydrophobic structures, which were tested for their ability to reduce the attachment of marine bacteria. In 2023, a full-time PhD student was engaged to enable this ongoing collaboration.
Scanning electron microscope image of MicroTau's riblets, taken at Microscopy Australia's University of Sydney facility.
April 17, 2023
