Bio-supportive medium, and methods of making and using the same

A bio-supportive medium comprising:

• a degradable material selected from the group consisting of:
• an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, and an aminoplast resin;
• at least one nutritional source;
• and
• at least one bio-limiting agent dispersed in the degradable material;
• wherein the degradable material, the at least one nutritional source, and the at least one bio-limiting agent are provided in quantities, such that the bio-supportive medium is capable of supporting formation of a biomass having at least a specific consortium of organisms of identical or different species, substantially at equilibrium within its environment or host habitat;
• wherein the at least one nutritional source and the at least one bio-limiting agent are selected to control the amount and type of species present in the biomass.

A bio-supportive medium comprising:

• a degradable material of a crosslinked polyepoxide prepared from an epoxy resin and a polyamine crosslinking agent;
• at least one nutritional source;
• and
• at least one bio-limiting agent dispersed in the degradable material;
• wherein the degradable material, the at least one nutritional source, and the at least one bio-limiting agent are provided in quantities, such that the bio-supportive medium is capable of supporting formation of a biomass having at least a specific consortium of organisms of identical or different species, substantially at equilibrium within its environment or host habitat;
• wherein the at least one nutritional source and the at least one bio-limiting agent are selected to control the amount and type of species present in the biomass.

An article comprising:

• a substrate, which is prone to degradation and corrosion;
• a bio-supportive medium in contact with the substrate;
• and a biofilm sustained on the bio-supportive medium;
• the bio-supportive medium comprising:
• a degradable material;
• at least one nutritional source;
• and
• at least one bio-limiting agent dispersed in the degradable material;
• wherein the degradable material, the at least one nutritional source, and the at least one bio-limiting agent are provided in quantities, such that the bio-supportive medium is capable of supporting formation of a biomass having at least a specific consortium of organisms of identical or different species, substantially at equilibrium within its environment or host habitat;
• wherein the at least one nutritional source and the at least one bio-limiting agent are selected to control the amount and type of species present in the biomass.

A method of preventing fouling comprising the steps of:

• providing a bio-supportive medium;
• and
• applying the bio-supportive medium to a substrate;
• the bio-supportive medium comprising:
• a degradable material;
• at least one nutritional source;
• and
• at least one bio-limiting agent dispersed in the degradable material;
• wherein the degradable material, the at least one nutritional source, and the at least one bio-limiting agent are provided in quantities, such that the bio-supportive medium is capable of supporting formation of a biomass having at least a specific consortium of organisms of identical or different species, substantially at equilibrium within its environment or host habitat;
• wherein the at least one nutritional source and the at least one bio-limiting agent are selected to control the amount and type of species present in the biomass.