In vitro analyzes to study interactions between material/substances and marine microorganisms.

There are several reasons why it is important to know how marine microorganisms interact or are affected by a sample (chemicals or materials). The test samples could include ingredients to antifouling paint, surface modifications on static structures (to hinder the growth of fouler or biocorrosion), ballast water etc. Depending on the usage of the product different types of testing might be needed to collect the information requested. With our vast knowledge of microorganisms, in both bacteria and microalgae, we can adjust the evaluation according to the customer need. We constantly broaden our library of organisms and test methods. If the customer lacks the possibility to perform laboratory work, we assist in this process, but we can also take on a bigger role in your developmental journey.

Common methods could include toxicity, biofilm (static or flow), gene expression and morphological studies based on microscopy. We also assist with more unique questions involving proof of concept and mode of action. If you have a protocol or a new method, we are happy to assist with evaluation, troubleshooting and validation.

By putting your substances or materials through in vitro testing before going into the field you could have a better screening process and save both time and money by selecting the best candidate in an earlier stage of the development. Is it a new method you are developing, new doors open up if an independent laboratory could repeat and confirm the stability and transferability of the process.

Methods to be used depend on customer need. If you have specific questions related to marine microorganisms/anti fouling/bio corrosion in vitro you are welcome to contact us and set up a meeting to discuss how we can assist you. We are happy to assist in the discussion on which tests that are necessary for your questions and needs, experimental set up, performance, interpretation of results and report.

The customer obtains a report which contains all parameters of requests for their specific samples/methods.

Delivery time depend on the study or project of question. Please contact us for a more specific assessment. New organisms or methods, weekends and national holidays might affect the delivery time.  

Information regarding test substances/materials must be discussed before start of cultivation of microorganisms.

Tests for fire detection systems intended for engine compartment according to SP Method 5320.

The test method described in this document is intended to test and rate the detection performance of fire detection systems installed in engine compartments. The test method also examines the durability of the system components.

To ensure early detection of fire and durability of detection systems, there is a need for fire detectors intended for engine compartments to be tested. Many of the challenges in this environment, are namely not specifically tested for in other standards for fire detection systems. These challenges are, for example, complex geometries cluttered with obstructions, high airflows, high temperatures and hot surfaces, dirt and dust, as well as vibrations, shocks and corrosion. SP Method 5320, considers these challenges, allowing for rapid performance evaluation under realistic and repeatable conditions.

The test method is divided over a number of different categories. Firstly, the complete system is test in a mock-up engine compartment as follows:

• The System Coverage Test evaluates the response time of fire detectors for both small and large fires under varying ventilation conditions. In total 13 different fire scenarios are considered to ensure the detection system has the ability to detect fires starting in practically every possible location in the engine compartment.
• The Response Time Test gives information on and compares the response times of detection systems in two fire scenarios; a slow-growing fire and an instant large flaming fire. This ensures that detection systems are equipped with components that allow for detecting both of these very different fire scenarios.

To secure the surviveability of the fire detection system and its components they are also subjected to component tests. These tests consider their durability to corrosion, ageing, temperature variations, vibrations, schock, EMC as well as ingress of dust and water. Before and after these tests, individual components are also subjected to the following test cases:

• The activation temperature and response time of heat detectors is analysed in the Heat Detection Test. This is done before and after component levels tests, to ensure that these do not affect their function in a negative way. In addition to this, the sensitivity of heat detectors to false alarms is tested.
• Flame detectors are tested in the Flame Detection Test to ensure their sensitivity was not affect by the components tests. Flame detectors are also subjected to field of view tests to guarantee detection ability is preserved for the complete field of view.
• The sensitivity of smoke or as detectors is investigated in a smoke tunnel during the Smoke/Gas Detection Test. Time to activation and obscuration at activation is compared before and after component testing.

After testing, a test report is delivered with the results which may be the basis for product approval (P-mark) according to SPCR 197.

SP Method 5320

Tests for fire suppression systems intended for engine compartments according to SP Method 4912, UNECE R107, AIS 135

This method assesses the fire suppression performance of fire suppression systems under mock-up operational conditions. For this purpose, several different types of fires are ignited and stabilised inside an enclosure with engine compartment characteristics. Fire suppression systems are then evaluated based on its ability to extinguish the various test fires.

SP Method 4912 tests fire suppression systems intended for engine compartments in a well-defined and objective way. Systems are subjected to realistic fire scenarios that can occur on and around a vehicle or machine, as a means to evaluate their performance. The system tests are based on the geometry, obstructions and air flow typically found in engine compartments. This allows for rapid performance evaluation under reproducible and repeatable conditions.

The fire suppression system may be subjected to the test scenarios listed below. In the end, a system will achieve a ranking based on the number of tests completed and the conditions, e.g. ventilation rates and/or level of openness of the testing rig, under which this was achieved. 

• High Fire Loads evaluate the fire suppression system's ability to suppress large fires. As an example, these large fires may originate from a broken pressurised fuel hose that sprays against hot surfaces, resulting in rapid fire development. It is crucial that fire suppression systems can effectively deal with these fires, as they may even occur if reliable detectors are installed.
• Low Fire Loads are used to judge the system's ability to deal with small fires in an enclosure. These small fires can be difficult to extinguish and require that the distribution of suppressant in the compartment is effective.
• Systems that can extinguish our Class A Fires have proven their ability to deal with deap-seated fires in fibrous materials. Examples of such materials are sound insulation, rubber and/or some plastics, which commonly act as a secondary fuel source.
• Obstructions are often present in engine compartments. This is emphasised in our Hidden Fires test. Here the suppression system shall extinguish a small obstructed fire that is out of reach for direct fire suppression. As such, the total flooding capabilities of a system is evaluated.
• Certain components in engine compartments may still be hot enough to ignite flammable material after a fire has been extinguished. Our Hot Surface Re-Ignition test evaluates the fire suppression system's performance in cooling down those hot surfaces.

The Level of Opennes of our testing rig can be modified to reflect the environment in which the fire suppression system shall be used. This will affect the final rating of the fire suppression system also, with an increasing score for an increasing level of openness. The highest possible openness level is achieved when tests are completed when no floor, ceiling, and walls are considered in the testing rig.

After testing, a test report is delivered with the results which may be the basis for product approval, for example according to SPCR 183 or SPCR 199 (P-mark).

SP Method 4912

UNECE R107

AIS 135

Corrosion and durability testing through alternate immersion of materials and coatings are offered for the different corrosive environments near and at sea.

Corrosion testing using alternate immersion offers a reproducible setup to evaluate corrosion protection properties of materials and surface protection. It can be designed dependant on the material or environment of interest.

Multiple test objects is mounted on the test equipment which is programmed to immerse the test objects in a vessel with liquid. The immersion time can be programmed according to standards or customized needs.

This service is offered at Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre and Borås.

Detailed scientific report and quick test results are offered with focus on quality and secrecy.

Contact us for price information. Please find contact information below

The customer is responsible for preparations of test objects if nothing else is agreed.

ASTM G44 and G31

Volvo STD 423-0067

ISO 11130

Testing and assessments of corrosion protection and corrosion properties of materials and coatings are offered for marine environments.

Electrochemical corrosion tests using a potentiostat/galvanostat is a powerful tool for evaluation and increasing knowledge of durability of materials in marine environments.

Enables detection and monitoring of different stages of corrosion progression.

A potentiostat/galvanostat can be connected to up to 8 separate cells/samples and measures corrosion mechanisms over time during exposure in natural seawater from surface and depth.

In-depth studies of corrosion protection properties can be performed using e.g. EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) and LPR (Linear Polarisation Resistance).

This service is offered in RISE lab at Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre on the West-coast of Sweden.

Detailed scientific reports and quick test results are offered with focus on quality and secrecy.

Please find contact information below

The customer is responsible for preparations of test objects if nothing else is agreed

ASTM G59

ASTM G5

ASTM G61

ASTM F 2129

EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)

LPR (Linear Polarisation Resistance)

Corrosion and durability testing of materials and coatings are offered for the different corrosive environments near and at sea.

Exposure at field station is a powerful tool to evaluate corrosion protection properties of materials and surface protection. It is highly recommended as a complement to accelerated tests.

Short and long-term field exposures are offered on a jetty on the west-coast of Sweden at Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre.

The test site can facilitate different zones of exposure including atmospheric, splash and submerged.

Relevant atmospheric and water quality parameters are monitored thoroughly to gain understanding of test site environment and enable comparison with other international test site.

Detailed scientific report and quick test results are offered with focus on quality and secrecy.

Contact us for price information. Please find contact information below

The customer is responsible for preparations of test objects if nothing else is agreed

Corrosion and durability testing through continuous or cyclic salt spray are offered for the different corrosive environments near and at sea.

Corrosion testing using salt spray offers a reproducible and well-known technique to evaluate corrosion protection properties of materials and surface protection. It can be designed dependant on the material or environment of interest. Combined with natural seawater it offers a test method highly relevant for marine environments.

A cyclic corrosion test chamber is connected to fresh natural seawater from surface and depth.  Corrosion exposures can be carried out based on most standardized testing regimes.

Reference specimens of metals can be exposed together with the samples and evaluated as a measure of corrosivity during the exposure. Test objects can be connected to a power source and in normal operating condition during test.

This service is offered at Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre and Borås.

Detailed scientific reports and quick test results are offered with focus on quality and secrecy.

Contact us for price information. Please find contact information below

The customer is responsible for preparations of test objects if nothing else is agreed

ISO 9227/ASTM B117

ISO 11997-1

IEC 60068-2-52

IEC 60068-2-11

Volvo VCS 1027,149/STD 423-0014 (ACT1)

VCS 1027,1449 (ACT2)

The marine environment is harsh and demanding for materials and coatings long time performance. Crack propagation and degradation might induce corrosion and attachment of marine biofouling. By performing stability studies including careful characterizations material design and coating formulations could be optimized, improving performance and reducing need for maintenance. Analysis is also a valuable tool during troubleshooting making it possible to determine failure mechanism.

Understanding how ingredients and process parameters control materials and coatings surface structure after applying.  Analysis of internal structure and compartmentalization of components by performing a cross-sectional analysis is possible. Parameters that could be assessed include film thickness, adhesion, crack propagation, dispersity and aggregation, wettability, chemical composition and structure on both surface and cross-sections, mechanical properties to mention a few.

Materials and formulations with improved performance in marine environment. Understanding why materials and coatings failed in the marine environment.

Pristine material or coatings is examined prior to exposure under accelerated conditions in the laboratory or exposed in the field. At certain time points the sample is withdrawn and eventual changes in material properties are reassessed. Exposure conditions and suitable characterization method depends on aim with the analysis and is decided before start of study. Usually no sample preparation is needed but for cross-sectional analysis epoxy-embedding might be needed.

The main delivery will be a written report containing description of method, results and eventual conclusions.

Delivery time depends on study design including complexity and immersion conditions. 

ASTM_D562-10

ASTM_D6990

ISO_2409_2013

ISO_2815

ISO_DIS_15314

SS-EN_ISO_2808_2007

SS-EN_ISO_3251_2008

SS-EN_ISO_4624

SS-EN_ISO_7783_2011

Field tests to study static interactions between material/substances and marine fouling organisms according to CEPE.

To evaluate antifouling products at the site of an independent partner according to a well-known guidline, CEPE, to produce supporting documents for the registration process.  

By testing your antifouling products at RISE you will get accepted supporting documents to assist through your registration of a new product.

The method to be used is CEPE. You are welcome to contact us or set up a meeting if you have questions related to antifouling and we will help and discuss how your project will be outlined.  We are happy to assist in the discussion on which tests that are necessary for your questions and needs, experimental set up, performance, interpretation of results and report.

The customer obtains a report which contains all parameters of requests for their specific samples, according to CEPE.

Delivery time depend on the study or project of question. Please contact us for a more specific assessment. Weekends and national holidays might affect the delivery time. 

Contact us for price and tenders

Information regarding test substances/materials must be discussed in good time before start of field work.

CEPE – Efficacy evaluation of antifouling products

A reverberation chamber is a specialised test chamber that uses the walls and different reflectors to generate multiple modes.
During immunity testing, the test object is exposed to electromagnetic fields from all directions simultaneously. During emission measurements, the total emission is measured from the unit TRP (Total Radiated Power).

The reverberation chamber has some advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional EMC measurements.

The benefits of immunity testing in a reverberation chamber are that lower power is needed to obtain high field strengths and that the test object is exposed to disturbance from all directions, which should be safer than if it is exposed from 4 directions. One disadvantage is that it takes longer to perform.

A major advantage of emission measurements in a reverberation chamber is the short test time. Measuring Total Radiated Power (TRP) is significantly faster here than in a traditional fully anechoic chamber, saving both time and cost. The disadvantage is that it does not measure ERP, and the direction of the emission from the sample object cannot be measured.

Following standards are available and can be performed in the labs:

IEC 61000-4-21

ISO 11452-11

MIL-STD 461G

Measurement data graphs and error report.

According to offer

Price on request for quotation

According to offer

IEC 61000-4-21

ISO 11452-11

MIL-STD 461G