Dolphin Skin-Inspired Hydrogels: A Breakthrough for Marine Antifouling

The Ocean’s Slippery Secret

Marine biofouling — the unwanted buildup of algae, barnacles, and microbes on ship hulls and ocean structures — costs the global shipping industry billions each year in increased fuel consumption, maintenance, and corrosion. Traditional antifouling paints often rely on toxic chemicals, which harm marine ecosystems.

But scientists have turned to nature for inspiration — specifically, the smooth, self-cleaning skin of dolphins.

Mimicking Dolphin Skin with Hydrogels

A research team has designed a dolphin skin-inspired hydrogel fiber-based drag-reducing slippery coating (DIHSC). By simulating three unique biological features of dolphin skin — dermal papilla structures, natural hydrogel-like collagen, and mucus renewal — they created a surface that repels marine life while reducing drag.

Key insights include:

Water-absorbing fibers swell into a hydrogel film, smoothing the surface.
Dense fiber networks reduce frictional resistance, mimicking the slipperiness of dolphin skin.
Dynamic renewal behavior imitates dolphin mucus, preventing microorganisms from adhering long-term.

Tested Against the Ocean’s Toughest Foulers

Laboratory tests with marine microalgae showed that DIHSC dramatically reduced bio-adhesion compared to standard epoxy coatings. Even under dynamic scouring tests that mimic seawater flow around ships, the hydrogel fibers remained stable and effective.

This innovation offers both antifouling strength and drag reduction, making ships faster and more fuel-efficient while avoiding toxic chemicals.

Why It Matters for the Future of Shipping

The shipping industry accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing drag and biofouling, dolphin-inspired hydrogel coatings could:

Cut fuel use and carbon emissions
Reduce reliance on ecologically harmful antifouling paints
Extend the lifespan of ships and marine structures
Inspire next-generation bio-inspired engineering solutions

Conclusion

Nature has once again shown the way forward. By borrowing from dolphins’ evolutionary toolkit, researchers are offering the shipping industry a greener, smarter antifouling solution. If adopted widely, this innovation could reshape the economics and sustainability of global maritime transport.

Reference

Ren, X., Wang, M., Wei, H., Wang, L., Ren, X., Xue, L., Lu, X., Ma, X., Ding, F., & Liu, P. (2025). A dolphin skin-inspired hydrogel fiber-based drag-reducing slippery coating for marine antifouling. Frontiers of Materials Science, 19(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-025-0738-8