U.S.-Argentina Cooperative Research on the Measurement and Mechanisms of Microbial Corrosion

该奖项将帮助蒙大拿州立大学生物与化学过程分析研究所（IPA）和阿根廷拉普拉塔理论与应用物理化学研究所（INIFTA）建立一个联合微生物工程研究项目。IPA主任William G. Characklis博士将主要与INIFTA的Hector A. Videla博士合作研究微生物腐蚀，尽管两个研究所的其他科学家也将参与研究。他们的目标将是开发表征生物膜-金属界面（微电极）的方法，电化学监测腐蚀，并观察生物膜种群动态。此外，它们将确定生物膜斑块，微生物产物形成，表面粗糙度以及表面焊接和裂缝对微生物腐蚀过程的重要性。微生物腐蚀是美国工业面临的重大且昂贵的挑战。许多行业支持国际摄影协会的研究。到目前为止，对这个话题以及如何改善其影响的了解还不够。国际图协和国际水文研究所之间的合作是重要的，因为它结合了它们两个领域的专门知识和不同的方法来揭示微生物腐蚀的机制。IPA集团是生物膜工艺工程方面的专家，而INIFTA在测定微生物腐蚀速率的电化学技术方面有着悠久而成功的历史。这种合作将允许交换这些方法，使两组人都受益。

This award will help establish a joint microbial engineering research program between the Institute for Biological and Chemical Process Analysis (IPA), at Montana State University, and the Research Institute of Theoretical and Applied Physical Chemistry (INIFTA), La Plata, Argentina. Dr. William G. Characklis, Director of the IPA, will work primarily with Dr. Hector A. Videla of the INIFTA to study microbial corrosion although other scientists at both institutes will be involved in the research as well. Their objectives will be to develop methods to characterize the biofilm-metal interface (microelectrodes), to electrochemically monitor corrosion, and to observe biofilm population dynamics. Additionally, they will determine the significance of biofilm patchiness, microbial product formation, surface roughness, and surface welds and crevices on microbial corrosion processes. Microbial corrosion poses a significant and costly challenge to U.S. industry. A number of industries support research at the IPA. Thus far, not enough is known about the topic and of how to ameliorate its effects. The cooperation between the IPA and the INIFTA is important because it integrates their two areas of expertise and distinct methodologies for uncovering the mechanisms of microbial corrosion. The IPA group is expert in biofilm process engineering and the INIFTA has a long, successful history of working on electrochemical techniques for determining microbial corrosion rates. The cooperation will permit the exchange of these methodologies to the benefit of both groups.