Biofilms in Manufactured Materials and Systems

Microbes like to grow on surfaces, whether natural or manmade. When it comes to industrial surfaces, bacteria are just doing "what comes naturally" by attaching to the surfaces with which they come into contact. However, their propensity for attachment causes many problems for a wide range of industries. Biofilm contamination and fouling occur in nearly every industrial water-based process, including water treatment and distribution, pulp and paper manufacturing and the operation of cooling towers. Biofilms are responsible for billions of dollars in lost industrial productivity, as well as product and capital equipment damage each year. Biofilms are notorious for causing pipe plugging, corrosion and water contamination.

Click to see Table 1-1, a summary of manufactured surfaces and systems affected by biofilm formation, associated impacts, and journal references.