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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars

Rendering SiO₂/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars

Published on: February 11, 2020

The echinoderm surface and its role in preventing microfouling.

J D McKenzie¹, I V Grigolava

¹a Scottish Association for Marine Science , PO Box 3, Argyll , Oban , PA34 4AD , Scotland.

|November 26, 2011

Summary

Echinoderm epidermis exhibits antifouling properties through a specialized outer layer, not biocides or sloughing. This outermost fibril layer, part of the cuticle, likely prevents organism settlement.

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Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Rendering SiO2/Si Surfaces Omniphobic by Carving Gas-Entrapping Microtextures Comprising Reentrant and Doubly Reentrant Cavities or Pillars

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Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination

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Published on: March 1, 2020

Area of Science:

Marine biology
Invertebrate zoology
Biomaterials science

Background:

Echinoderms possess an inherent antifouling epidermis.
Antifouling is not achieved through distant biocides or wholesale surface shedding.
The epidermis is covered by a cuticle with an outer fibril layer.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanism behind the antifouling property of echinoderm epidermis.
To identify the specific surface structures responsible for antifouling.
To understand the functional role of the outermost fibril layer and the cuticle.

Main Methods:

Microscopic examination of echinoderm epidermal surface structures.
Analysis of the chemical composition of the cuticle.
Functional interpretation based on structural and chemical properties.

Main Results:

The outermost layer of the echinoderm epidermis consists of attenuated fibrils radiating from the cuticle.
This fibril layer represents the true surface interacting with the environment.
The cuticle is composed of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, is negatively charged, and functions as an extended glycocalyx.

Conclusions:

The outermost fibril layer of the echinoderm cuticle is primarily responsible for antifouling.
The negatively charged, extended glycocalyx nature of the cuticle modulates adhesive interactions.
This suggests a primitive function of cellular glycocalyces in regulating surface adhesion.