| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T24: Materials Science & Technology
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| Symposium
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Processing and Performance of Materials Using Microwaves, Electric and Magnetic Fields, Ultrasound, Lasers, and Mechanical Work – Rustum Roy Symposium
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| Presentation Title |
Evaluating the Impact of Alternating Electromagnetic Fields on Biofilm Formation at Low Bacterial Concentrations |
| Author(s) |
Hidekazu Miura, Hideyuki Kanematsu, Dana M. Barry, Akiko Ogawa, Takeshi Kogo, Hirokazu Konishi, Hirai Nobumitsu, Takayoshi Nakano |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Hideyuki Kanematsu |
| Abstract Scope |
Biofilms are heterogeneous, film-like accumulations of bacteria on material surfaces, primarily composed of water, bacteria, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by the bacteria in their initial stages. While biofilms can have beneficial roles, they often lead to material degradation such as corrosion, aesthetic decline, and sanitary issues, making their control a significant challenge. Previous research by our team has investigated biofilm inhibition using kilohertz-range alternating electromagnetic fields in experiments with high-concentration bacterial solutions near full growth. With the standardization of biofilm evaluation methods for materials in July 2023, which sets bacterial solutions to a concentration of 1000 cells/ml, our study now focuses on the impact of low-concentration bacterial environments. This research assesses the effects of alternating electromagnetic fields on EPS production and biofilm formation at this standardized low concentration, offering new insights into biofilm control strategies under less intensive bacterial conditions. |