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Biofouling
This
SEM micrograph shows the biofouling of
a device. Cocci type bacteria have encrusted the surface of the
device with a well formed biofilm. The individual bacteria can clearly
be seen in the picture, as well as the associated adhesive matrix
excreted by the bacteria. The light colored ring in the center of the
image is a pore in the device. The bacteria colony formed a film over
this pore, preventing proper operation of the device. The cracks in the
film over this pore resulted from the sample preparation used in
creating the micrograph. It is interesting to note that the bacterial
biofilm did not completely fill the pore, but instead formed a polymer-like film
over the pore, with the polymer embedded with
Cocci type bacteria. |