Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion - Electrochemical behavior and mechanisms of corrosion inhibition in both biotic and abiotic corrosion

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a combination of microbial attachment and corrosion that accelerates deterioration and can lead to catastrophic failure of structures, costing billions of dollars a year. Chemical inhibition is often used to reduce the effects of MIC, however there is a need to develop safer and environmentally benign systems.

A recent collaborative research project between Deakin University, Curtin University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel has been initiated to investigate the mechanisms of MIC (including biofilm formation) the behavior of different bacteria and bacteria colonies on steel substrates in a marine environment as well as the design, synthesis and mechanistic characterisation of novel, dual active corrosion inhibitors. This project is multidisciplinary and will involve a team of researchers across chemistry, microbiology and materials engineering.