Our research efforts are focused on biofilm engineering, a highly interdisciplinary research topic at the interface between engineering and microbiology, with the goals of understanding biofilm-mediated processes and applying the knowledge and insights to harness the power of beneficial biofilms and to combat detrimental biofilms.
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(i) Fundamentals and Tools Development
One of our main research interests is to understand biofilm-mediated processes in natural and engineered environments, including the development of novel engineering and biological tools to facilitate fundamental studies of biofilm-mediated processes. Other fundamental research topics that are of our interest include interactions between emerging contaminants and biofilms, photosynthetic biofilms, and environmental controls of biofilm-mediated processes. |
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(ii) Controlling Detrimental Biofilm Processes
Our on-going and future study in controlling detrimental microbial processes focuses on translating novel knowledge and insights into combating strategies. Our research in this area is dedicated to developing novel tools and strategies for studying and controlling microbial processes that cause damages to surfaces in industrial settings and built environment. Specific topics of interest include biofouling on water purification membranes, microbially influenced corrosion, and biodeterioration. |
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(iii) Engineering Beneficial Biofilm Processes
Applying novel knowledge and insights obtained from understanding microbial processes to improve the performance of beneficial microbial processes is another aspect of our on-going and future study. Specifically, our research on this aspect is dedicated to developing novel microbial processes. Our current research includes engineering hybrid physicochemical-microbial processes for efficient removal of pollutants from water and for environmentally friendly recovery of resources from wastes. |
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