Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGBMircoorganisms on surfaces occur widely in nature. Bacteria, fungi and algae have adapted to growth on various surfaces and benefit considerably from this way of life, which is adapted to each particular location, for example on stones in a stream, and also in various kinds of piping. Their growth becomes visible to the human eye when biofilms develop excessively. Frequently the microbial growth causes damage to the material or impairs the functioning of technical equipment.
At Fraunhofer IGB, we have been working for several years on questions in which the interactions between microbial cells and surfaces or the formation of biofilms play a role. On the one hand, we use biofilms, for example by targeted immobilization of microorganisms on a carrier material, for the production of valuable substances or for waste water purification.
We also support the prevention and control of biofilms – where they are undesirable and cause damage – through our research. For example, we have developed test methods for the investigation of biofilms and are investigating surfaces and components in medical technology, construction, wastewater treatment and hygiene for microbiological contamination.
Examples of damage caused by biofilms are the deterioration of the efficiency of heat exchangers or air-conditioning systems. In the healthcare sector too, enormous efforts are being made to prevent the growth of biofilms on natural surfaces such as dental material as well as synthetic materials such as implants, catheters or medical devices – also because of enormous consequential costs in the event of human injury.