Nov_Dec_AMP_Digital

A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 2 7 example, the Maeslantkering, a storm surge barrier built in the Rotterdam Port and located at Hoek van Holland on the New Waterway connecting Rot- terdam (in the Netherlands) with the North Sea, is an engineering solution against SLR (Fig. 3). Researchers and governments around the globe can benefit from the collaborative efforts and lessons learned by these countries. From a ma- terials and engineering perspective, tackling corrosion in all forms is a chal- lenge and new protective coating sys- tems, techniques, andmethodsmust be developed for improved performance. Inspired by nature, a biomimicking ap- proach for developing antifouling coat- ing systems could potentially lead to new coatings and improved perfor- mance. For example, sharks, dolphins, and whales have skins known to have surface topologies that substantially reduce algae settlement, thereby pro- viding antifouling characteristics. Such examples from nature provide a basis to develop a scientific solution to for- mulate antifouling coatings. In the case of electrochemi- cal corrosion of steel and reinforced concrete, major challenges exist due to the multitude of corrosion types in the coastal environment, expen- sive and complicated preparation and application procedures for large equip- ment, and inefficiencies in current re- pair procedures. A combined approach to develop composite and hierarchical coating systems using the principles of different protection mechanisms could result in significant improvement in corrosion protection for steels and con- crete structures. Development of por- table coating systems for on-site repair work can improve the corrosion protec- tion of existing infrastructure. For ex- ample, portable cold-spray systems for applying Zn, Al, and polymeric coatings for steel and concrete bridges can im- prove the repairability and thus the ser- vice life of these structures. Currently, concrete dikes and flood gates are efficient immediate solu- tions, and are being used as barriers against storm surges in locales includ- ing the U.S. (New Orleans and New En- gland), Germany, and the UK (Thames river). However, these structures have huge construction and maintenance costs associated with them. Micro- bially induced calcite precipitation (MICP)-based biocement can be used to construct natural dykes to counter SLR. Use of biocement can reduce the cost by a significant amount, as nutrients and bacteria already exist in the biodiversi- ty of sea water. Also, ground improve- ment using the biocement method can lead the way to strengthen coastal and beachside properties against increased erosion due to SLR. CAUSES OF SLR Sea level is rising due to accel- erated melting of glacial ice, which is considered a result of the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which caus- es a temperature rise. In the future, beyond a certain point, immediate ac- tions such as the construction of dikes and barriers will be rendered ineffi- cient against SLR. Thus, the long-term approach to mitigating and stabilizing climate change will be the key strate- gy for overall SLR preparedness. Cap- turing and reusing CO 2 emissions due to transportation and various industries can have a huge positive impact on cli- mate change. CO 2 capture technologies for large emission sources such as fos- sil fuel power plants, fuel-processing plants, and other industrial plants are already being developed and tested. Fossil fuel-based transportation also emits a substantial amount of green- house gases that could be captured. Small-scale systems must be devel- oped for use in vehicles. Development of technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere should be a major research focus into the foreseeable future. ~AM&P Fig. 3 — The Maeslantkering, a storm surge barrier in the Netherlands that automatically closes as needed, is one of the world’s largest moving structures. Courtesy of holland.com .