Summary
Bacteria are the most abundant and diverse lifeform on Earth, with the majority spending their lives in biofilms, a thin layer of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) that can coat or form on various surfaces.
This lifestyle is universally perceived as problematic since biofilms contribute significantly to equipment degradation, including Department of Defense (DoD) assets.
However, biofilms do not have to be a problem. New insights suggest biofilms could be transfigured by redirecting their composition and structure.
Similar to the Arcadian vision of harmony with nature, the Arcadia program aims to develop “probiotics” for military materiel using microorganisms that naturally occur on DoD assets to build protective communities.
These probiotics will generate robust and beneficial coatings that prevent corrosion, decrease drag, or inhibit the growth of black mold on DoD assets.