title: U-shaped, double-tapered, fiber-optic sensor for effective biofilm growth monitoring.
abstract: To monitor biofilm growth on polydimethylsiloxane in a photobioreactor effectively, the biofilm cells and liquids were separated and measured using a sensor with two U-shaped, double-tapered, fiber-optic probes (Sen. and Ref. probes). The probes' Au-coated hemispherical tips enabled double-pass evanescent field absorption. The Sen. probe sensed the cells and liquids inside the biofilm. The polyimide-silica hybrid-film-coated Ref. probe separated the liquids from the biofilm cells and analyzed the liquid concentration. The biofilm structure and active biomass were also examined to confirm the effectiveness of the measurement using a simulation model. The sensor was found to effectively respond to the biofilm growth in the adsorption through exponential phases at thicknesses of 0-536 μm.
authors.affiliation: Chongqing Key Laboratory of Modern Photoelectric Detection Technology and Instrument, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; zhongnianbing@163.com.
authors.forename: Nianbing
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Chongqing Key Laboratory of Modern Photoelectric Detection Technology and Instrument, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; zmf@cqut.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Mingfu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.
authors.forename: Yishan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: (060.2280) Fiber design and fabrication; (060.2300) Fiber measurements; (060.2370) Fiber optics sensors; (160.5470) Polymers; (280.1415) Biological sensing and sensors