This book explains the formation of biofilm on materials surfaces in an industrial setting. The authors describe new developments in understanding of biofilm formation, detection, and control from the viewpoint of materials science and engineering. The book details the range of issues caused by biofilm formation and the variety of affected industries.

This book provides an up-to-date perspective on oral biofilms and dental materials, equipping readers with a sound understanding of their mutual interactions. Experts from across the world comprehensively describe the main strategies that can be followed when designing modern bioactive and biomimetic dental materials, bearing in mind the goal of reducing the occurrence of pathological conditions such as secondary caries and peri-implantitis. The background to the book is the rapid expansion in the use of nanotechnologies and modern techniques to achieve levels of performance of dental materials that were unthinkable even a few years ago. Whereas conventionally dental materials have been regarded as inert, an important paradigm shift is underway: now, these materials are being conceived as bioactive and biomimetic. Modern dental materials can produce a response by interacting positively both with the host and with the biofilm permanently colonizing hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. These materials increasingly mimic the behavior of the tissues that they are replacing. In documenting the latest knowledge in the field, this book will be of value for both scientists in the fields of nanotechnology, biofilms and dental materials and interested clinicians.

Recent Trends in Biofilm Science and Technology helps researchers working on fundamental aspects of biofilm formation and control conduct biofilm studies and interpret results. The book provides a remarkable amount of knowledge on the processes that regulate biofilm formation, the methods used, monitoring characterization and mathematical modeling, the problems/advantages caused by their presence in the food industry, environment and medical fields, and the current and emergent strategies for their control. Research on biofilms has progressed rapidly in the last decade due to the fact that biofilms have required the development of new analytical tools and new collaborations between biologists, engineers and mathematicians. - Presents an overview of the process of biofilm formation and its implications - Provides a clearer understanding of the role of biofilms in infections - Creates a foundation for further research on novel control strategies - Updates readers on the remarkable amount of knowledge on the processes that regulate biofilm formation

Biofilms and Implantable Medical Devices: Infection and Control explores the increasing use of permanent and semi-permanent implants and indwelling medical devices. As an understanding of the growth and impact of biofilm formation on these medical devices and biomaterials is vital for protecting the health of the human host, this book provides readers with a comprehensive treatise on biofilms and their relationship with medical devices, also reporting on infections and associated strategies for prevention. - Provides useful information on the fundamentals of biofilm problems in medical devices - Discusses biofilm problems in a range of medical devices - Focuses on strategies for prevention of biofilm formation

This Handbook covers all aspects related to Nanofibers, from the experimental set-up for their fabrication to their potential industrial applications. It describes several kinds of nanostructured fibers such as metal oxides, natural polymers, synthetic polymers and hybrid inorganic-polymers or carbon-based materials. The first part of the Handbook covers the fundamental aspects, experimental setup, synthesis, properties and physico-chemical characterization of nanofibers. Specifically, this part details the history of nanofibers, different techniques to design nanofibers, self-assembly in nanofibers, critical parameters of synthesis, fiber alignment, modeling and simulation, types and classifications of nanofibers, and signature physical and chemical properties (i.e. mechanical, electrical, optical and magnetic), toxicity and regulations, bulk and surface functionalization and other treatments to allow them to a practical use. Characterization methods are also deeply discussed here. The second part of the Handbook deals with global markets and technologies and emerging applications of nanofibers, such as in energy production and storage, aerospace, automotive, sensors, smart textile design, energy conversion, tissue engineering, medical implants, pharmacy and cosmetics. Attention is given to the future of research in these areas in order to improve and spread the applications of nanofibers and their commercialization.

Biofilms are highly organized polymicrobial communities that are embedded in an extracellular matrix and formed on natural and artificial surfaces. In the oral cavity, biofilms are formed not only on natural teeth, but also on restorative materials, prosthetic constructions, and dental implants. Oral diseases like caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, and also pulp inflammation are associated with biofilms. This publication is an up-to-date overview on oral biofilms from different clinically relevant perspectives. Experts comprising basic researchers and clinicians report on recent research relating to biofilms - from general summaries to recommendations for daily clinical work. This book covers all aspects of oral biofilms, including models used in the laboratory, biofilms in dental water unit lines, periodontal and peri-implant biofilms, caries-related biofilms, halitosis, endodontic biofilms, and Candida infections, as well as biofilms on dental materials and on orthodontic appliances. Several chapters deal with anti-biofilm therapy, from the efficacy of mechanical methods and the use of antimicrobials, to alternative concepts. This publication is particularly recommended to dental medicine students, practitioners, other oral healthcare professionals, and scientists with an interest in translational research on biofilms.

This book provides excellent techniques for detecting and evaluating biofilms: sticky films on materials that are formed by bacterial activity and produce a range of industrial and medical problems such as corrosion, sanitary problems, and infections. Accordingly, it is essential to control biofilms and to establish appropriate countermeasures, from both industrial and medical viewpoints. This book offers valuable, detailed information on these countermeasures. It also discusses the fundamentals of biofilms, relates various substrates to biofilms, and presents a variety of biofilm reactors. However, the most important feature of this book (unlike others on the market) is its clear focus on addressing the practical aspects from an engineering viewpoint. Therefore, it offers an excellent practical guide for engineers and researchers in various fields, and can also be used as a great academic textbook.

Biocorrosion refers to corrosion influenced by bacteria adhering to surfaces in biofilms. Biocorrosion is a major problem in areas such as cooling systems and marine structures where biofilms can develop. This book summarises key recent research in this subject. Part one looks at theories of biocorrosion and measurement techniques. Part two discusses how bacteria and biofilms result in biocorrosion. The final part of the book includes case studies of biocorrosion in areas as diverse as buildings, fuels, marine environments and cooling systems. - Provides a detailed overview of biocorrosion and the different scientific and/or industrial problems related to microbially induced corrosion - Introduces a variety of investigative techniques and methodologies that are employed in diagnosing and evaluating microbially induced corrosion - Includes case studies on: biodeterioration of building materials; biocorrosion issues associated with diesel and biofuels; marine biocorrosion; corrosion of open recirculating cooling water systems and cooling system components; the effect of H2S on steel corrosion

Throughout the biological world, bacteria thrive predominantly in surface-attached, matrix-enclosed, multicellular communities or biofilms, as opposed to isolated planktonic cells. This choice of lifestyle is not trivial, as it involves major shifts in the use of genetic information and cellular energy, and has profound consequences for bacterial physiology and survival. Growth within a biofilm can thwart immune function and antibiotic therapy and thereby complicate the treatment of infectious diseases, especially chronic and foreign device-associated infections. Modern studies of many important biofilms have advanced well beyond the descriptive stage, and have begun to provide molecular details of the structural, biochemical, and genetic processes that drive biofilm formation and its dispersion. There is much diversity in the details of biofilm development among various species, but there are also commonalities. In most species, environmental and nutritional conditions greatly influence biofilm development. Similar kinds of adhesive molecules often promote biofilm formation in diverse species. Signaling and regulatory processes that drive biofilm development are often conserved, especially among related bacteria. Knowledge of such processes holds great promise for efforts to control biofilm growth and combat biofilm-associated infections. This volume focuses on the biology of biofilms that affect human disease, although it is by no means comprehensive. It opens with chapters that provide the reader with current perspectives on biofilm development, physiology, environmental, and regulatory effects, the role of quorum sensing, and resistance/phenotypic persistence to antimicrobial agents during biofilm growth.

This book highlights the importance of hygiene in the food industry with regard to biofilms, which can be found on the contact materials of various food production facilities, including bakery, brewing, seafood processing, and dairy and meat processing. Good hygiene practices in such facilities can prevent microbial niches and harbourage sites, facilitate cleaning and disinfection, maintain or increase product shelf-life, and improve food safety. This book provides essential information on the updated information on biofilm growth conditions, detection methods, and prevention and control strategies.