Elastomeric sandpaper replicas as model systems for investigating elasticity, roughness and associated drag in a marine biofilm flow cell

Biofilm heterogeneity and adaptability complicates efforts to link biofilm structural mechanical properties frictional drag. As a result, rigid structures are typically used as the benchmark for studying biofilm-associated Elastomeric sandpaper replicas were generated be model systems investigating effect of roughness elasticity on drag, over Reynolds number range approximately 2.0 × 104 5.2 Re using marine flow cell. To control parameters surface topography created grit numbers: P40, P80 P240 with average measured (Sa) 108, 49 16 μm, respectively. Profilometry confirmed that there was no significant difference between sources material replicas. The cell fitted clear lid, which allowed real-time visualisation replicas’ Optical Coherence Tomography. Pressure drop measurements, expressed friction coefficient, revealed elastomeric had significantly higher associated up 52%, when compared counterparts. From statistical analysis it properties, such elasticity, both affect Elastic can enhance our understanding physico-mechanics their role in