The Skoog Flocculant
(Skoog Open Marine Proactive Flocculant – SOMPF)
Program Plastic to Self-Aggregate at the Moment of Fragmentation
A materials science system that transforms microplastic behavior in seawater. Surface-anchored block copolymers trigger immediate aggregation from microscopic fragments into macroscopic clusters — reducing bioavailability before dispersal.
The Core Problem
Conventional microplastic cleanup targets dispersed particles in the open ocean — like finding needles in a haystack. The Skoog Flocculant attacks the problem at its source point: the moment a plastic item fragments into microplastics, when local particle concentration is highest.
How It Works
Industrial Application
Applied via spray tunnel with electrostatic charging immediately after molding. 3-10 seconds at 60-120°C creates a 1-10 µm functional surface zone.
Ionic Trigger
In seawater, amphiphilic block copolymers respond to ionic strength. Charge screening + polymer bridging overcome repulsion between fragments.
Source Point Aggregation
At fragmentation, new functional surface is exposed while fragments are at maximum concentration. Immediate bridging prevents dispersal.
Biofilm Synergy
Modified surface accelerates biofilm colonization. Bacterial EPS acts as biological ”glue” that stabilizes aggregates into marine snow.
Why This Changes Everything
Proactive, not reactive: Doesn’t chase dispersed microplastics. Programs the plastic itself to neutralize its own environmental impact at the moment of breakdown.
Bio-physical barrier: Aggregation into sizes >50 µm sharply reduces endocytosis. Particles become too large to penetrate cell membranes in marine organisms.
Hydrodynamic redistribution: Dense aggregates sediment faster. Light aggregates form floating macro-clusters. Both simplify mechanical separation and reduce residence time in the biologically active zone.
Additive to existing plastics: Doesn’t affect mechanical properties during primary use. Long-term integrated and resistant to abrasion.
Key Technical Features
DLVO + Polymer Bridging
Dual mechanism: charge screening reduces repulsion while polymer chains physically entangle particles into stable aggregates.
Brackish Water Optimized
Functions in Baltic Sea conditions (0.1-0.15 M). Optimized charge density maintains high responsiveness even at lower salinities.
Surface Zone Engineering
1-10 µm functional zone diffused into plastic surface. Resistant to mechanical wear throughout product lifecycle.
EPS Reinforcement
Accelerates biofilm formation. Bacteria produce extracellular polymeric substances that permanently bind fragments into stable marine snow.
Proven Principles
- DLVO physics: Well-established colloidal science used in water treatment for 50+ years to aggregate suspended particles
- Polymer bridging: Same mechanism deployed in mining and wastewater treatment to create stable, separable flocs
- Biofilm synergy: Marine bacteria naturally produce EPS that binds particles into marine snow — The Skoog Flocculant accelerates this process
- Source point advantage: Targets fragmentation when particle concentration is highest, maximizing collision probability
Limitations & Prerequisites
Requires turbulence: Aggregation needs kinetic energy to create particle collisions. Best effect in flowing water or at wave zones, not in still conditions.
Source-point focus: Designed to reduce dispersal at the moment of fragmentation. Not intended to collect microplastics already dispersed in the open ocean.
100% Open Source
The Skoog Flocculant is delivered as an open technical solution under Creative Commons CC BY 4.0. No patents. No license fees. The system is designed for global implementation and optimization by any manufacturer, government, or research institution.
Transform Plastic at the Molecular Level
Source point protection | No patents | Globally implementable
Get full documentation and technical report