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

这一奖项将有助于建立一个联合微生物工程研究 生物和化学过程研究所 蒙大拿州立大学和研究所 理论与应用物理化学（INIFTA），拉普拉塔， Argentina. William G.博士IPA主任Characklis将在 主要是赫克托·A博士Videla的INIFTA研究微生物 尽管这两个研究所的其他科学家也将参与其中， 在研究中也是如此。 他们的目标将是制定方法， 表征生物膜-金属界面（微电极）， 电化学监测腐蚀，并观察生物膜种群 动力学 此外，他们还将确定 生物膜斑块，微生物产物形成，表面粗糙度，和 微生物腐蚀过程中的表面焊缝和裂缝。 微生物腐蚀对美国石油公司来说是一个重大而昂贵的挑战。 行业 一些行业支持投资促进机构的研究。 因此 到目前为止，对这个问题以及如何改善它的认识还不够。 方面的影响. 投资促进机构与国家投资促进机构之间的合作十分重要 因为它整合了他们的两个专业领域， 揭示微生物腐蚀机理的方法。 IPA集团是生物膜工艺工程和INIFTA的专家 在电化学技术方面有着悠久而成功的历史 用于测定微生物腐蚀速率。 合作将使 交流这些方法，使两个群体受益。

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.