ECU chemist approved for NCInnovation grant to develop environmentally friendly marine paint

ECU chemist approved for NCInnovation grant to develop environmentally friendly marine paint

GREENVILLE, N.C. (12/09/2025) - East Carolina University's Dr. Robert Hughes, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, is the recipient of a $720,000 NCInnovation research grant for his project, "Cleaner, Safer Coatings for Marine and Industrial Equipment."

Marine vessels - from fishing boats to research ships - struggle with fouling: the buildup of algae, barnacles and sludge that slows vessels down and increases fuel costs. Industrial bilge areas face similar problems, often requiring harsh chemical cleaners.

The goal of Hughes' project is to develop environmentally friendly coatings that prevent this buildup without relying on toxic substances. By reducing drag and improving cleanliness, these coatings can help vessels operate more efficiently and minimize environmental impact. Industrial users may also benefit from coatings that require less maintenance and fewer harsh chemicals.

"I'm excited to work on a project that has a potentially high impact on our region of North Carolina," Hughes said. "One of the things I love about eastern N.C. is our ease of access to recreational boating. This project could benefit the industry and the people of eastern NC."

"Biofouling is an ongoing challenge for commercial and recreational boaters that is costly and requires frequent maintenance and reduces boating performance," Hughes said. "Some of the most effective solutions against biofouling are currently being phased out because they also have negative environmental impacts."

Over the next two years, Hughes will use the grant funds to advance the technology that will support the development, evaluation and commercial readiness of environmentally friendly marine and industrial paint. These products will assist in reducing biofouling and chemical buildup, and help vessels and coastal industries operate more efficiently while protecting workers and aquatic ecosystems.

"Dr. Hughes's research has exciting applications for marine vessel maintenance, potentially impacting everything from research ships to fishing boats," said Michelle Bolas, NCInnovation's interim CEO. "NCInnovation helps universities advance research with just this kind of real-world application, strengthening the university-to-industry pipeline that's central to American competitiveness."

NCInnovation helps university innovations advance toward commercialization by supporting university applied research through the critical research and development phase between proof of concept and readiness for the private market. NCInnovation's grant funding is part of a larger effort to support the development and commercialization of university research in North Carolina. Learn more at NCInnovation.org.

Contact: Dr. Robert Hughes, associate professor of chemistry, 252-328-9730, [email protected]

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