An apparatus including a fine-array porous material with a specific surface area higher than 10/mm, the specific surface area depending on different pore sizes, wherein the porous material comprises a plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size with a variation of less than about 20%, wherein the size is larger than about 100 nm and smaller than about 10 cm. The high-buoyancy apparatus can be part of a water vehicle such as a boat or a submarine, and the fine-array porous material is configured to reduce friction and/or control buoyancy. A conduit is also provided employing a fine-array porous material to reduce friction and/or control buoyancy. A garment is provided taking advantage of water repellant and/or UV/IR reflection properties of the fine-array porous material.

An apparatus includes a marine component or structure having a surface to be exposed to a marine environment during use. A photocatalyst coating is secured to the surface of the marine structure, wherein the photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide. The marine component or structure is preferably selected from a boat hull, dock post, dock piling, pier, and buoy. A method may be provided for reducing or preventing barnacle attachment to a marine component or structure, including forming a transparent photocatalyst coating on an external surface of the marine structure, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes a titanium oxide, and placing the marine component or structure in service within a marine environment.

Surfboards may have at least one structural layer disposed between a foam core and fiberglass layers. The at least one structural layer may strengthen the surfboard as compared against surfboard without such a structural layer. The at least one structural layer may minimize and/or prevent overheating of the surfboard from sunlight exposure and/or from excessive heat. Surfboards may have at least one heat-release-valve installed within the given surfboard. The at least one heat-release-valve may minimize and/or prevent overheating of the surfboard from sunlight exposure and/or from excessive heat. Surfboards may have at least one structural layer disposed between a foam core and fiberglass layers and surfboards may have at least one heat-release-valve installed within the given surfboard.

A structural object includes a substrate integrally clad with a metallic glass sheet by adhering, welding or joining the metallic glass sheet on the substrate for a low-cost, flexible and convenient fabrication, assembly, processing or construction of the object.

A structure for reducing the drag of a ship and its application thereof is provided. The structure for reducing the drag of a ship includes at least one turbulence generating structure which is installed on the side surface between the widest section and the aft end or on the bottom surface between the deepest portion and the aft end of the ship. The arrangement of the turbulence generating structure can generate turbulence to reduce the drag of the ship, and thereby increase the speed of the ship and/or reduce the ship's fuel consumption.

A structure for reducing the drag of a ship and its application thereof is provided. The structure for reducing the drag of a ship includes at least one turbulence generating structure which is installed on the side surface between the widest section and the aft end or on the bottom surface between the deepest portion and the aft end of the ship. The arrangement of the turbulence generating structure can generate turbulence to reduce the drag of the ship, and thereby increase the speed of the ship and/or reduce the ship's fuel consumption.

An apparatus includes a marine component or structure having a surface to be exposed to a marine environment during use. A photocatalyst coating is secured to the surface of the marine structure, wherein the photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide. The marine component or structure is preferably selected from a boat hull, dock post, dock piling, pier, and buoy. A method may be provided for reducing or preventing barnacle attachment to a marine component or structure, including forming a transparent photocatalyst coating on an external surface of the marine structure, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes a titanium oxide, and placing the marine component or structure in service within a marine environment.

An apparatus including a fine-array porous material with a specific surface area higher than 10/mm, the specific surface area depending on different pore sizes, wherein the porous material comprises a plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size with a variation of less than about 20%, wherein the size is larger than about 100 nm and smaller than about 10 cm. The high-buoyancy apparatus can be part of a water vehicle such as a boat or a submarine, and the fine-array porous material is configured to reduce friction and/or control buoyancy. A conduit is also provided employing a fine-array porous material to reduce friction and/or control buoyancy. A garment is provided taking advantage of water repellant and/or UV/IR reflection properties of the fine-array porous material.

A structural object includes a substrate integrally clad with a metallic glass sheet by adhering, welding or joining the metallic glass sheet on the substrate for a low-cost, flexible and convenient fabrication, assembly, processing or construction of the object.

A structure for reducing the drag of a ship and its application thereof is provided. The structure for reducing the drag of a ship comprising at least one turbulence generator which is installed on the side surface between the widest section and the aft end or on the bottom surface between the deepest portion and the aft end of the ship. The arrangement of the turbulence generator can generate turbulence to reduce the drag of the ship, and thereby increase the speed of the ship or reduce fuel consumption as well.