Active matter for removal of biofilm and endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Biofilm and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are critical environmental problems that impact human’s health. Although a number of strategies have been proposed to address these issues, the recurrence of biofilm and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment keep exerting adverse effects on our daily lives. To this end, the overall goal of my research is to develop a system of active matter for the removal of biofilm and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. In this dissertation, Chapter 1 discusses the methodologies of active matter fabrication, the fundamental issues caused by biofilm and endocrine-disrupt chemicals, and the current constraints in the removal of these two issues. Chapter 2 presents the design of active matter, so-called self- locomotive, antimicrobial microrobot (SLAM), and explains its mechanism to eliminate biofilm from target bio-fouled structures. Based on the findings in Chapter 2, Chapter 3 investigates how to prevent biofilm recurrence by constructing a collective analysis to understand the biofilm composition. Chapter 4 further explores how SLAM can be applied as a micro-cleaner to remove endocrine-disrupting chemicals through its intrinsic oxidation capability, along with in vitro studies that examines the toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals after the treatments. Lastly, Chapter 5 summarizes the key findings through Chapter 2 to Chapter 4 and proposes the directions for future investigations.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Deng, Yu-Heng

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kong, Hyunjoon
• Boppart, Stephen A
• Flaherty, David W
• Kraft, Mary L

• Biofilm
• BPA

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 Yu-Heng Deng

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115887

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F115887