Biofilm Created From an Aggregation of Various Life Forms

Function

Bacteria secrete adherent substances to form small colonies (known as an aggregate cell colony). These colonies grow to become biofilms, which contain corrosive materials and metal debris from different types of fungi, algae and protozoa organisms, such as amoeba. Biofilms have a system that efficiently delivers nutrients and oxygen inside the body. Although the composition and internal structure of biofilms vary depending on their environment, all are known to produce antimicrobial substances by decomposing organic matter, which protects the bacteria within the biofilms. Also, biofilms can alter toxic heavy metals into nutrients. (Also, biofilms can alter toxic substances of heavy metals to their nutritive substances for their benefits.)

Functional Classification

Transfer/Dispose/Circulate:
Removal
Form/Organization/System:
Environmental improvementDecomposition
Defense/Stability:
Microbe/germ resistance

Environmental Solution Classification

Related Literature

Europian Research Headlines:Biofilms, friend or for? Warren, J. W., Catheter-associated urinary tract infections, Int J Antimicrob Agents 17, 299–303. 2001

Technical Application

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

Knowledge of biofilm’s ability to alter toxic materials can be used to develop technology that will allow rivers to self-purify and to decompose waste products without any adverse effect from the toxic materials. These can be used to develop power plants that produce electricity while conducting wastewater treatments, or for astronauts to generate power from their waste.

Proposals of Applied Industry

Related Life Style