Objectif
The growth of biofilms is observed on all solid surfaces in contact with water or moisture. Negative effects of biofilms are (e.g.) the deterioration or corrosion of materials, fouling on surfaces of industrial equipment leading to reduction of heat transfer in heat exchangers and to blockage of tubes etc., to impairment of the state of hygiene in systems such as air conditioning equipment or in the clean air technology or to an increase of friction on rapidly moving objects (ship hulls).
Positive influences of biofilms are (e.g.) microbial-supported processes in ore refining (leaching), in fermentation processes (pharmaceutical industry) as well as in conditioning of ceramic powders for the porcelain industry.
The scope of the Action concentrates on only few, but important, focal points within the vast field of biofilm interactions with industrial materials surfaces. These are :
the development or further development of appropriate methods for the better characterisation of biofilms, their interactions with materials surfaces, and biocides ;
the improvement of knowledge of the surface accumulation of micro-organisms, of their adhesion and aggregation into the biofilm, and of the structure and function of biofilms, in order to better understand and be able to influence their interactions with their environment and in particular with industrial materials, including their protection.
The following topics are excluded from the Action because a limitation of topics is necessary and/or because they are already the subject of other national or international research : leaching processes or refining, the biodegradation of waste materials, the use of micro-organisms in the fermentation or pharmaceutical industry, the interaction of biofilm with copper surfaces, concrete and wood.
Thus the following topics have been investigated :
The generation of artificial biofilms as model systems with well-defined microbiological and physico-chemical properties, which permit laboratory investigation of the processes ;
The development of new concepts, mathematical models, improved characterisation and testing methods as well as experimental set-ups for better understanding of the ensuing reactions with respect to artificial as well as natural biofilms ;
The use of advanced methods common in surface chemistry and physics, including failure analysis and characterisation of the affected materials surfaces ;
The development of specific protection technologies for metals and polymers ;
The limitation of environmental damage from use of toxic biocides ;
The providing of a basis for technical specifications and international standards ;
Further topics in this framework can be considered.
Current status
The official start was in May 1992. After evaluation of proposals in December 1992 there were 25 laboratories with accepted projects wishing to co-operate within the Action. Owing to lack of funding, 5 projects have been officially withdrawn in last two years and uncertainty on another 6 projects still exists. Many project leaders have been successful in receiving support from non-governmental sources, mainly from industry.
The launching of COST 511 has attracted considerable success in the first phase, collecting many interesting and scientifically ambitious as well economically important projects and demonstrating a strong involvement of industry. However, nearly all projects concerned with the microbial deterioration of polymers later fell victim to budgetary measures. This is particularly unfortunate because the subjects represent an important technical problem that is far from being fully understood.
Today, some 15 projects are in progress and about 5 projects are still expecting support. Since most projects started only in Spring 1993, a request for prolongation until January 1997 has been submitted.
Ten Short Term Scientific Missions have been performed up to end-1996, giving scientists from B, FIN, F, HUN, I and CH opportunities to visit laboratories and institutes of other COST partners. The possibility offered by COST to perform such visits has been highly appreciated by the participants.
Contacts - including participation to workshops - have been established with the COST Action E1 "Paper Recyclability" , especially with a working group "Stock chemistry - dissolved and colloidal matter".
Work planned
Before the end of the Action, the MC prepared a proposal for a new Action which has been approved by CSO in October 1996 as COST 520 - Biofouling and Materials, thus confirming the importance of this topic.
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Belgique
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