[piytar]

Actually, what it does is lower the density of the water (and further disrupt the surface tension), so the ship simply goes under. The underlying physics is well understood, and frankly pretty basic.

[Dusty Road]

Powder coating uses the same process, powder is put into a container that has a porous board at the bottom and air is pushed through the board. As the air rises it suspends the particles and actually gives the powder a fluid like state making it much easier to blow through lines or transfer.