Interactions between biofilms and boundary layer flows: A research and training proposal
Abstract
Abstract Biofilms are the primary type of biofouling seen on naval ships. While it is known that biofilm growth significantly increases the drag on ships, the mechanisms and variability of this process, as well as the impact of biofilms on boundary layer hydrodynamics, are inadequately understood. The work outlined in this proposal seeks to better resolve the interaction of structurally complex biofilms with the viscous and turbulent dominated regions of the overlying fluid boundary layer in order to better predict drag on ships due to biofouling. We propose to investigate small- scale shear stresses and turbulence structure around living biofilms using a micro-particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) technique as well as a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) within a water flume. We also propose to use dynamically scaled models to characterize how specific biofilm structures, the cell streamers, interact with the viscous boundary layer and influence the turbulent structure in the outer boundary layer. Additionally, we aim to characterize mass transport to and from biofilms utilizing a combined PIV-planar laser induced fluorescence system. Such a system will enable us to measure water velocities and the concentration of a dissolved chemical tracer simultaneously in order to quantify how the flow structure controls the flux of dissolved solute to and from the biofilm. This solute flux is the mechanism thought to be responsible for the transport of settlement cues from the biofilm that may induce settlement from other biofouling organisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512560
Entities
People
- Matthew A Reidenbach
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Virginia