Disintegrating Drinking Water Biofilms Using Microplasma Jet Array

Chen, Wenyuan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/99902 Copy

Description

Title

Disintegrating Drinking Water Biofilms Using Microplasma Jet Array

Author(s)

Chen, Wenyuan

Contributor(s)

• Eden, J. Gary
• Sun Peter P.
• Boppart, Stephen A.
• Nguyen, Thanh H.

Issue Date

2018-04

Keyword(s)

• Plasma
• Biofilm

Abstract

Biofilms are ubiquitous in municipal drinking water distribution systems and their capabilities of harboring pathogens pose significant human health concerns. They are perfect pathogen reservoirs by supplying nutrients and producing an extracellular polymeric substance that shields pathogens from disinfectants. In our research, we discover microplasma jet arrays severely erode drinking water biofilms and deactivate the organisms they harbor. The potential of microplasma jet arrays as a previously-unavailable tool for controlling, through disruption and removal, mixed-species biofilms prevalent in drinking water distribution systems. This image illustrates a block of biofilm treated by an array of microplasma jets. The representative cross-section image of the biofilm was taken recorded through optical coherence tomography, and the image on the top surface was taken through the confocal laser scanning microscopy. The blue and red spheres are indicating the electrons and reactive species produced by the microplasma jet array, which are the main contributors to the biofilm disintegration.

Type of Resource

• text
• image

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/99902

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2018 Wenyuan Chen

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