Ontology study: harmonizing microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) terminology across disciplines

Abstract Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a pervasive yet poorly understood phenomenon, partly due to inconsistent terminology across scientific and industrial domains. Standardized terminology is essential to improve communication and advance MIC research and mitigation strategies. To address this gap, we developed a comprehensive glossary of MIC-related terms by compiling terminology from industry standards, glossaries, and scientific literature across multiple sectors. Terms were analyzed to identify consensus and discrepancies, enabling clarification and harmonization of definitions. The resulting glossary provides clear, consistent terminology to reduce misunderstandings and foster transdisciplinary dialog. This initiative represents a critical step toward unifying MIC-related language, supporting more effective diagnosis, mitigation, and control strategies. By promoting standardized communication, the glossary lays the foundation for improved knowledge exchange between academia and industry, ultimately contributing to better management of MIC in diverse applications.