Cellular Automata in Simulated Biofilms

Introduction

We are developing a toolkit to investigate growth and biocidal control of biofilms in flow pipes. Both bacteria, nutrient and biocide are modelled as random walk particles within a pipe with parameters to describe their interactions and concentrations.

While this model is obviously a great simplification it does produce convincing biofilms and growth profiles. Work is continuing to refine the model further whilst retaining the computational simplicity of discretised particles. Below are some pictures produced by the toolkit.

Slides

Click on the slides to view a larger version of the image.

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Example of a modelled biofilm

Modelled sigmoidal growth curve

Modelled growth curve

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