Microbial Detection and Sampling Metrology
Material Measurement Laboratory, Biosystems and Biomaterials Division
NIST only participates in the February and August reviews.
Physicochemical properties of bacteria and viruses can be used to predict and understand interaction with surfaces in environmental systems. Microscopic observation and mathematical modeling based on surface thermodynamic determinations of bacterial and viral association with inert surfaces provides insight into the fate, transport, and sampling removal efficiency. We are coupling advanced imaging techniques including atomic force microscopy and automated fluorescent microscopy with measurements of surface chemistry to evaluate the impact of cell and particle surface features on adhesion; gaining a better understanding of how to enhance removal efficiencies and enable and enhance detection of biothreats.