of implant materials.192' 106, 108, 109] Silicone orthopaedic devices have included finger

joints and temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which were not sucessful.11101 They have

also been used in the vascular field as components to heart assist devices and

incorporated into vascular grafts.[106' 111] While the mechanical properties of silicones are

ideal for vascular grafts, in that their compliance and modulus more closely match the

native tissue than PTFE or PET, their lack of toughness prevents them from being used

exclusively. Also, a major concern with PDMS is its affinity for lipids, which causes it to

become more brittle in vivo over time.[111' The important issue to keep in mind for

silicone systems as well as other biomaterial applications, is that the bioactivity of the

system will typically dictate what use the material has in vivo. Silicone surfaces are

mainly non-thrombogenic and biologically inert, which makes them an interesting

material to prevent unwanted interactions, but this lack of bioactivity also precludes it

from becoming incorporated in surrounding tissues without surface or bulk

modifications.

 Another field of particular interest to our group is the use of silicones to prevent

biofouling from marine organisms. Biofouling is an example of a problem concerning

cellular materials accumulating on surfaces such as the hulls of ships and water treatment

facilities. The marine spore Enteromorpha is the most common macroalga that fouls

ships and submarines. Reproduction is mainly through motile spores that swim until a

suitable surface on which to settle and adhere is located.[112] Adhesion involves secretion

of a glycoprotein adhesive that anchors the spore to the surface.[113] Cues for settlement

include phototaxis, chemotaxis and thigmotaxis. Previous anti-fouling coatings included

biocides that did significant damage to marine life in harbors. Current research focuses on