MICTEST Project
Why is MICTEST important?
Under certain conditions, microbes can grow in the fuel tanks of aircrafts and can threaten the security due to their corrosive and clogging effects. Antimicrobial coatings and materials are promising solutions to prevent the adherence and growth of microbes to surrounding surfaces. These materials and coatings should be robust to severe microbes while at the same time have no reverse effect on the fuel itself.
What is the current solution?
Currently, manufacturers and suppliers are using in-house procedures for testing of antimicrobial solutions which are not always representative of the aircraft environment. In addition, the lack of a standardized protocol makes it nearly impossible to benchmark antimicrobial solutions.
What will MICTEST do?
Define representative microbes in aircraft fuel tanks
Define conditions of the exposure test for simulating the aircraft fuel tanks
Define parameters for evaluating microbe’s formation, maturation and activity
Determine inoculation strategy and feed systems
Select, apply and validate the new methodology to passive and functionalized materials
Validate new protocols through benchmarking with existing norms and in-house tests
Establish a list of requirements for performing new protocols and tests
