Laboratory studies on biomachining of copper using Staphylococcus sp.
The possibility of using bacteria to drill metallic surfaces has been demonstrated using Staphylococcus sp., a facultative anaerobic bacterium, isolated from corroded copper piping. The experiment involved exposure of copper coupons (25 mm x 15 mm x 3 mm) to a culture of Staphylococcus sp. for a maximum period of 7 days. Coupons exposed to sterile bacterial growth medium were used as controls. Exposed coupons were removed intermittently and observed microscopically for the extent of drilling. The total pit area and volume on these coupons were determined using image analysis. The results showed that both the biomachined area and volume increased with the duration of coupon exposure. In the drilling experiment, a copper thin film 2 microm thick was perforated by this bacterium within a period of 7 days. In conclusion, the results suggested that bacteria can be used as a tool for machining metallic surfaces.
Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Japan.
Shinji
S
Shikata
Kurissery R
KR
Sreekumari
Kanavillil
K
Nandakumar
Mazayoshi
M
Ozawa
Yasushi
Y
Kikuchi
D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic; D018441:Biofilms; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D003343:Corrosion; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004867:Equipment Design; D005285:Fermentation; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008954:Models, Biological; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D002712:Chlorides; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000641:Ammonia; D003300:Copper