Nonlinear deformation and localized failure of bacterial streamers in creeping flows.

ABSTRACT: We investigate the failure of bacterial floc mediated streamers in a microfluidic device in a creeping flow regime using both experimental observations and analytical modeling. The quantification of streamer deformation and failure behavior is possible due to the use of 200 nm fluorescent polystyrene beads which firmly embed in the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and act as tracers. The streamers, which form soon after the commencement of flow begin to deviate from an apparently quiescent fully formed state in spite of steady background flow and limited mass accretion indicating significant mechanical nonlinearity. This nonlinear behavior shows distinct phases of deformation with mutually different characteristic times and comes to an end with a distinct localized failure of the st

SUBMITTER: Biswas I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4997318 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature