Abstract: A method has been found for the removal of microbial biofilm on surfaces in contact with systems, including but not limited to aqueous systems, which comprises adding to the aqueous system an effective amount of a polyethyleneimine surfactant to substantially remove microbial biofilm, from surfaces in aquatic systems, while presenting minimal danger to non-target aquatic organisms at discharge due to their very low discharge concentrations.

Abstract: A thin film based nanoporous alumina template has been developed which allows the in situ removal of an electrically insulating alumina barrier layer at the pore bases. This barrier free nanoporous system has great utility for electrodeposition of a wide variety of nanowire materials. An exemplary multilayer thin film precursor is provided comprising Al (anodization layer), Ti (diffusion barrier) and Pt (active electrode) on a Si substrate. Aluminum anodization in sulfuric acid with a subsequent applied voltage ramping program produces a Pt electrode at the base of the nanopores without the additional steps of alumina removal, barrier layer dissolution, and metal deposition onto the pore bottoms.