Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Protocol for Biofilm Streamer Formation in a Microfluidic Device with Micro-pillars
Published on: August 20, 2014
Bacterial deposition on and detachment from surfaces in turbulent flow
S W Hermanowicz1, R E Danielson, R C Cooper
1Department of Civil Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Abstract:
A number of experimental studies on deposition and detachment of bacterial cells of Pseudomonas sp. was performed in an inclined plate apparatus 2.3 m long. In each run, ca. 10(8)cells were introduced into a layer of flowing water at Reynolds numbers of ca. 1000 and 1300. After a preset time, the flow was stopped and the position of attached cells measured. Spatial pattern of attached cells was initially aggregative and remained so for lower flow rates. For higher flow rates the pattern tended towards randomness, perhaps as a result of cell detachment. Overall sticking efficiency of cells was very small (ca. 10(-5)).
Related Concept Videos
Boundary Layer Characteristics
Turbulent Flow
Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Biofilms
Microbial Mats

