title: Novel materials for biofilm reactors and their characterization.
abstract: The application of adherently growing microorganisms for biotechnological production processes is established, but it is still a niche technology with only a small economic impact. However, novel approaches are under development for new types of biofilm reactors. In this context, increasingly more microstructured metal surfaces are being investigated, and they show positive effects on the bacterial growth and the biofilm establishment. However, for comparison of the data, the different surface materials have to correspond in their different characteristics, such as wettability and chemical composition. Also, new materials, such as plastic composite supports, were developed. To understand the interaction between these new materials and the biofilm-producing microorganisms, different surface science methods have to be applied to reveal a detailed knowledge of the surface characteristics. In conclusion, microstructured surfaces show a high potential for enhanced biofilm growth, probably accompanied by an enhanced productivity of the microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Research Center OPTIMAS, University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany, cmueller@physik.uni-kl.de.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Müller-Renno
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buhl
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Davoudi
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Aurich
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ripperger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ulber
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muffler
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Ziegler
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014025:Titanium