Creating new technology to prevent ice buildup on fishing boats
Official title: Development and Feasibility Testing of novel icephobic Surface Technology for Mitigating Safety Risks of Commercial Fishing Vessels
Funded at American Bureau of Shipping · NIH-10693635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to keep ice off fishing boats in cold areas to help keep the crew safe and the boats stable during winter operations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | American Bureau of Shipping NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Spring, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $600,628 |
| NIH project number | 1U01OH012571-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10693635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are commercial fishing vessel operators and crew members working in cold climates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not work on commercial fishing vessels or operate in cold regions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing a new deicing technology specifically designed for commercial fishing vessels that operate in cold regions. The research team will utilize advanced nanostructured icephobic surface treatments to reduce safety risks associated with ice accumulation, such as slippery surfaces and frozen equipment. The effectiveness of this technology will be rigorously tested in a specialized facility and later evaluated in real-world conditions on fishing vessels during winter operations. The goal is to enhance safety for crew members and improve vessel stability by minimizing ice-related hazards.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce accidents and injuries on commercial fishing vessels caused by ice-related issues.
How similar studies have gone: While this specific approach is novel, similar technologies have shown promise in other industries for preventing ice buildup.
Where this research is happening
-
American Bureau of Shipping
Spring, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rousseau, Joseph — American Bureau of Shipping
- Study coordinator: Rousseau, Joseph
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.