Abstract

Microbial biofilms inherently require multidisciplinary approaches. Numerical models can help the integration of knowledge from various disciplines into unified theories. This presentation will give examples on how mechanical models can be useful computational tools to study pattern formation due to cell motility, spreading of microbial colonies made of mixed cell morphotypes or interactions between fluid flow and biofilms, including streamer vibration effects on flow and mass transfer. Electro-active biofilms (conductive sediments, microbial fuel cells, biocorrosion) require on the other hand bridging other areas of physics and electrochemistry with biology. On the other hand, hydrology and subsurface flow models provide tools for understanding biofilm formation and their effects on multiphase flow in porous media and in biomineralization processes.