Master's in Nanotechnology for Marine Coatings
This master's prepares you to lead innovation in the protection and efficiency of vessels through nanotechnology. You will learn to use nanomaterials to develop coatings with superior antifouling, anticorrosion, self-healing and low-friction properties, covering the fabrication, characterization and application of nanoparticles as well as the regulations and safety requirements involved, so you can create nanotechnology solutions for the maritime industry.
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What is the Master's in Nanotechnology for Marine Coatings?
This master's follows a nanostructured marine coating from the laboratory to the hull. You will study the principles of nanotechnology applied to surfaces and the chemistry and physics of coatings; metal and oxide nanoparticles, nanoceramics, carbon nanomaterials and hybrid nanocomposites; resins, pigments, additives, dispersion, adhesion, curing and multilayer systems; barrier protection, self-healing coatings, controlled-release inhibitors and compatibility with cathodic protection; biofouling, low-surface-energy and nanotextured surfaces and non-biocidal antifouling strategies; characterization by electron and atomic force microscopy, surface chemistry, roughness and mechanical tests; surface preparation, industrial application and scale-up; salt spray, immersion, accelerated aging and biofouling tests; and antifouling rules, ecotoxicology and class requirements.
What sets this master's apart: it focuses entirely on coatings, the layer where nanotechnology has the most direct impact on a ship's corrosion, fouling, fuel consumption and maintenance, and it covers the whole chain from nanomaterial selection and formulation to application, testing, environmental assessment and regulatory strategy; it includes an integrating project in which you design, formulate and validate a complete nanostructured coating system for a specific vessel and environment, followed by a Final Project on a topic of your choice.
Program highlights
- Nanomaterials: metal and oxide nanoparticles, nanoceramics, carbon nanomaterials and hybrids.
- Formulation: resins, pigments, additives, dispersion, rheology, adhesion, curing and multilayers.
- Anticorrosion: barrier effect, self-healing systems, controlled-release inhibitors and cathodic protection.
- Antifouling: low-surface-energy and nanotextured surfaces and non-biocidal strategies.
- Characterization and testing: SEM, AFM, surface chemistry, salt spray, immersion and aging.
- Industrial application and regulation: surface preparation, scale-up, ecotoxicology and class rules.
Syllabus of the Master's in Nanotechnology for Marine Coatings
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of nanotechnology and marine coatings
- 1.1. Fundamental principles of nanotechnology applied to surfaces
- 1.2. The nanoscale and the structure-property relationship
- 1.3. Foundations of coating chemistry and physics
- 1.4. Protective functions of marine coatings
- 1.5. Corrosion of materials in marine environments
- 1.6. Interaction between surface, coating and seawater
- 1.7. Coating degradation mechanisms
- 1.8. Functional nanomaterials for surface protection
- 1.9. Advantages and limitations of nanocoatings
- 1.10. General architecture of a nanostructured marine protection system
Nanomaterials for marine coatings
- 2.1. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles
- 2.2. Silica, alumina and nanostructured ceramic materials
- 2.3. Carbon nanomaterials and two-dimensional structures
- 2.4. Polymer nanocomposites
- 2.5. Organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials
- 2.6. Nanoadditives for modifying properties
- 2.7. Dispersion, agglomeration and stability of nanoparticles
- 2.8. Interactions between nanoparticles and polymer matrices
- 2.9. Selecting nanomaterials by marine application
- 2.10. Conceptual design of nanostructured formulations for marine surfaces
Coating chemistry, formulation and design
- 3.1. Resins, binders and polymer systems
- 3.2. Pigments, fillers and functional additives
- 3.3. Formulating nanostructured coatings
- 3.4. Controlling viscosity, dispersion and stability
- 3.5. Chemical compatibility between components
- 3.6. Adhesion between substrate and coating
- 3.7. Curing and film formation
- 3.8. Multilayer coatings and hybrid systems
- 3.9. Optimizing properties through design of experiments
- 3.10. Developing an experimental formulation for a nanostructured marine coating
Anticorrosion nanotechnology
- 4.1. Electrochemical mechanisms of marine corrosion
- 4.2. Protection by barrier effect
- 4.3. Nanocomposites highly resistant to water penetration
- 4.4. Self-healing coatings and smart systems
- 4.5. Corrosion inhibitors and controlled release
- 4.6. Cathodic protection and compatibility with coatings
- 4.7. Localized corrosion, pitting and galvanic corrosion
- 4.8. Protecting marine steel, aluminum and composites
- 4.9. Failure and delamination mechanisms
- 4.10. Designing a nano-anticorrosion system for severe marine environments
Antifouling nanotechnology and marine surfaces
- 5.1. Foundations of marine biofouling
- 5.2. Adhesion of microorganisms and marine organisms
- 5.3. Nonstick and low-surface-energy surfaces
- 5.4. Nanotexturing and topography modification
- 5.5. New-generation antifouling coatings
- 5.6. Systems with active agents and controlled release
- 5.7. Non-biocidal antifouling strategies
- 5.8. Evaluating resistance to biofouling
- 5.9. Environmental impact and ecotoxicology of antifouling systems
- 5.10. Designing a nanostructured surface to control biofouling
Advanced characterization of nanocoatings
- 6.1. Morphological and topographic characterization of surfaces
- 6.2. Optical and electron microscopy
- 6.3. Atomic force microscopy
- 6.4. Thickness and layer structure analysis
- 6.5. Chemical characterization and surface composition
- 6.6. Measuring roughness and surface energy
- 6.7. Mechanical characterization of films and coatings
- 6.8. Adhesion, hardness and resistance to wear and abrasion
- 6.9. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic characterization
- 6.10. Correlation between nanostructure and macroscopic performance
Industrial application and coating processes
- 7.1. Preparing metal and composite surfaces
- 7.2. Cleaning, degreasing and mechanical preparation
- 7.3. Application by spraying and conventional methods
- 7.4. Deposition of nanostructured layers
- 7.5. Surface treatments and chemical modification
- 7.6. Controlling film thickness and uniformity
- 7.7. Environmental conditions during application
- 7.8. Application defects and correction methods
- 7.9. Scale-up from the laboratory to industrial marine application
- 7.10. Developing an industrial application and control procedure
Environmental testing, durability and validation
- 8.1. Designing test campaigns for marine coatings
- 8.2. Salt spray and environmental exposure tests
- 8.3. Immersion tests in seawater and brackish water
- 8.4. Humidity, temperature and environmental cycling tests
- 8.5. Abrasion, impact and wear tests
- 8.6. Evaluating blistering, corrosion and loss of adhesion
- 8.7. Accelerated aging tests
- 8.8. Biofouling and antifouling performance tests
- 8.9. Correlation between accelerated tests and real exposure
- 8.10. Validating the durability of a nanostructured marine system
Regulation, environment and marine certification
- 9.1. International regulatory framework for marine coatings
- 9.2. Anticorrosion protection requirements for marine structures
- 9.3. International rules on antifouling systems
- 9.4. Environmental and ecotoxicological assessment of nanomaterials
- 9.5. Restrictions on substances and active agents
- 9.6. Waste management and coating removal
- 9.7. Requirements of class societies and ship operators
- 9.8. Technical documentation, traceability and declaration of conformity
- 9.9. Audits, certification and maintaining conformity
- 9.10. Preparing an international regulatory strategy for a marine nanocoating
Integrating project: nanotechnology for marine coatings
- 10.1. Defining the vessel, structure, material and operating environment
- 10.2. Identifying corrosion, wear and biofouling mechanisms
- 10.3. Selecting nanomaterials and the coating architecture
- 10.4. Developing and optimizing the nanostructured formulation
- 10.5. Designing the surface preparation and application process
- 10.6. Defining the characterization and environmental testing program
- 10.7. Evaluating anticorrosion, durability, wear and antifouling behavior
- 10.8. Environmental assessment, regulation and certification strategy
- 10.9. Preparing the technical dossier, analyzing results and drawing up an industrialization plan
- 10.10. Presenting and defending the integrating project
Final Project
- 11.1. Choosing the topic and defining the research problem
- 11.2. Setting objectives, hypotheses and the scope of the work
- 11.3. Review of the state of the art and the specialized literature
- 11.4. Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
- 11.5. Designing the methodology and the work plan
- 11.6. Collecting, processing and validating data
- 11.7. Technical development and analysis of results
- 11.8. Discussion, conclusions and future lines of work
- 11.9. Writing the report in line with academic standards
- 11.10. Presentation and public defense before the panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Nanotechnology for Marine Coatings
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Nanotechnology for Marine Coatings
Career opportunities after the Master's in Nanotechnology for Marine Coatings
Questions about the Master's in Nanotechnology for Marine Coatings
The maritime industry, and in particular marine coatings manufacturers, shipyards, ship repair yards, shipping companies and corrosion and materials consultancies.
Yes. It concentrates on using nanotechnology to improve the coatings used on ships and marine structures: anticorrosion, antifouling, self-healing, low-friction and wear-resistant systems.
Yes. You study resins, pigments, additives, dispersion and rheology, adhesion and curing, and then surface preparation, spraying, thickness control, application defects and scale-up to industrial marine use.
Yes. It covers international rules on antifouling systems, restrictions on active substances, the ecotoxicology of nanomaterials, coating removal and class society requirements.
A basic grounding in chemistry, physics and materials science is enough; the first modules build the nanotechnology foundations, and the admission interview confirms that the program suits your profile.
Through technical exercises in each module, an integrating project in which you design and validate a complete nanostructured coating system, and a Final Project presented before a panel.
A master's issued by Navalis Institute, together with the formulations, test plans and technical dossiers you develop during the program.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7 with live sessions that are recorded, forums and tutorials. It comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at naval and materials engineers, professionals at shipyards and shipping companies, researchers working on nanomaterials in corrosive marine environments, R&D managers and graduates in chemistry, physics or engineering. A degree in chemistry, physics, materials engineering, nanotechnology or a related scientific or technical field is recommended, together with basic knowledge of chemistry, physics and materials science.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and videoconferencing software such as Zoom or Teams.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
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Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.