FAQs
About Sharklet Technologies
When was Sharklet Technologies founded?
Sharklet Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2007, but the Sharklet™ surface technology has been in development since 2002.
Where is the company located?
Sharklet Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in Alachua, Fla. near the University of Florida in Gainesville. The company is located at the prestigious Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator, which is the top ranked incubator program in the United States. The Incubator is also internationally recognized as a pioneer in bio-business development.
How can I invest in the company?
At this time, Sharklet Technologies, Inc. is a privately held company. Should there be future opportunities to invest in the company, we can notify you. We encourage you to join our mailing list to learn more about Sharklet Technologies’ developments and technology.
Is the company hiring?
We seek bright, talented and energetic team members to support our growth and success. When positions are open, we post them to the Careers section of this website.
About Sharklet™
What is Sharklet™?
Sharklet™ is the world’s first technology to inhibit bacterial growth through pattern alone. The Sharklet surface is comprised of millions of tiny diamonds arranged in a distinct pattern. It is this pattern that inhibits bacteria from growing, colonizing and forming biofilms. The microscopic Sharklet diamonds mimic the shape and pattern of the dermal denticles of shark skin which are resistant to fouling organisms including algae and barnacles.
Sharklet Technologies puts the Sharklet pattern into adhesive-backed films and manufactures the pattern into medical devices and consumer goods to prevent bacteria growth.
Can you feel or see the pattern?
Sharklet is a microscopic pattern. You cannot feel it or see the details of the pattern with the naked eye, but the pattern will exhibit a slight but visible holographic effect. Each Sharklet diamond measures nearly 25 microns across (about 1/50th the thickness of a human hair) and nearly 3 microns deep. Each Sharklet contains seven ribs of varying length. Sharklet Technologies’ research suggests that the Sharklet pattern disrupts several important microbial colonizing processes that are necessary for bacteria to develop into a biofilm.
Who invented Sharklet and how was it discovered?
Sharklet was discovered by Dr. Anthony Brennan, Ph.D., University of Florida’s College of Engineering. Dr. Brennan and his team have long studied the factors that cause microorganisms to attach to surfaces, colonize, create biofilms and how they behave during their lifecycles. Sharklet was discovered through research of engineered surface technologies under a project funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research. The research objective was to invent a non-toxic, environmentally friendly solution to help reduce costs associated with ship fouling. Read more about the discovery of Sharklet.
Why is a non-toxic solution preferred for microorganism management?
Until now, antibiotics, disinfectants and chemicals have been the primary weapons to control bacterial growth. These strategies share a common trait: they kill bacteria to control it. These kill strategies and their overuse has led to increased bacterial resistance to antimicrobials and so-called superbugs, causing harm to people and the environment. Sharklet is the first no-kill, environmentally friendly solution created to inhibit the growth of harmful bacterial biofilms.
Is Sharklet safe?
Sharklet is safe for people and the environment. Sharklet inhibits bacterial growth and transfer through pattern alone. There are no chemicals or other additives that can leach or cause harm to the environment.