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Phys. Rev. E 83, 066702 (2011) [9 pages]

Dissipative-particle-dynamics model of biofilm growth

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Zhijie Xu1,*, Paul Meakin2,3,4, Alexandre Tartakovsky1, and Timothy D. Scheibe5
1Computational Mathematics Group, Fundamental and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA
2Center for Advanced Modeling and Simulation, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, USA
3Physics of Geological Processes, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway
4Multiphase Flow Assurance Innovation Center, Institute for Energy Technology, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway
5Hydrology Technical Group, Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA

Received 21 December 2010; revised 17 February 2011; published 13 June 2011

A dissipative-particle-dynamics model for the quantitative simulation of biofilm growth controlled by substrate (nutrient) consumption, advective and diffusive substrate transport, and hydrodynamic interactions with fluid flow (including fragmentation and reattachment) is described. The model was used to simulate biomass growth, decay, and spreading. It predicts how the biofilm morphology depends on flow conditions, biofilm growth kinetics, the rheomechanical properties of the biofilm, and adhesion to solid surfaces. The morphology of the model biofilm depends strongly on its rigidity and the magnitude of the body force that drives the fluid over the biofilm.

©2011 American Physical Society

URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevE.83.066702
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevE.83.066702
PACS:
07.05.Tp, 87.18.Fx

*zhijie.xu@pnl.gov

 
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