Systems and methods for disruption of biofilm and algal growth

A method for disruption of biofilm and algae growth on a surface of a structure, comprising:

• installing one or more ultrasonic actuators on the surface of the structure, wherein the one or more ultrasonic actuators comprise:
• one or more piezoelectric transducers, wherein the one or more piezoelectric transducers have a front side and a back side and wherein the one or more piezoelectric transducers are adapted to produce an ultrasonic frequency, wherein the ultrasonic frequency is a natural frequency of the structure, and wherein the natural frequency of the structure is dependent upon structural stiffness and mass,
• a front mass located on the front side of the one or more piezoelectric transducers,
• a back mass located on the back side of the one or more piezoelectric transducers,
• a preloader, wherein the preloader connects and applies compression to the front mass, the one or more piezoelectric transducers, and the back mass, and
• an enclosure encapsulating the one or more piezoelectric transducers, the front mass, the back mass, and the preloader to produce a waterproof enclosure for the one or more ultrasonic actuators;
• producing an ultrasonic frequency using the one or more ultrasonic actuators;
• generating vibrations on the surface of the structure, wherein the vibrations are caused by the ultrasonic frequency produced by the one or more piezoelectric transducers;
• and
• disrupting biofilm and algae growth on the surface of the structure.