A simulated microgravity biofilm reactor with integrated microfabricated sensors: Advancing biofilm studies in near-space conditions.

ABSTRACT: Studying biofilms in a microgravity environment currently relies on one of two scenarios, collecting planktonic aggregates in rotating wall vessels or performing experiments in the microgravity environment of space on the International Space Station. While informative techniques, both have their limitations when studying surface-attached microbial communities. A simulated microgravity biofilm reactor (SMBR) was developed to study biofilms in microgravity, coupled with the integration of microfabricated sensors for internal system monitoring. The establishment of simulated microgravity was demonstrated through computational fluid dynamic modelling revealing low fluid shear stress conditions (<1 mPa) throughout the reactor and on the wall surface. Microfabricated resistance temperature devic

SUBMITTER: Ketteler HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11904516 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature