Biofilms - Science and Technology

Book excerpt: Biofilms -- Science and Technology covers the main topics of biofilm formation and activity, from basic science to applied aspects in engineering and medicine. The book presents a masterly discussion of microbial adhesion, the metabolism of microorganisms in biofilms, modelling of mass transfer and biological reaction within biofilms, as well as the behaviour of these microbial communities in industry (waste water treatment, heat exchanger biofouling, membranes, food processing) and in medicine (teeth, implants, prosthetic devices). Laboratory techniques and industrial monitoring methods are also presented. The book is directed at readers at the postgraduate level and is organised as a textbook, containing 11 chapters, a glossary, and a detailed subject index.