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1. The dynamics of rising oil-coated bubbles: experiments and simulations

   https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sm01603d  

   Wang, Songcheng; Zhang, Yi; Meredith, J. Carson; Behrens, Sven H.; Tripathi, Manoj Kumar; Sahu, Kirti Chandra (January 2018, Soft Matter)

   Air bubbles rising through an aqueous medium have been studied extensively and are routinely used for the separation of particulates via froth flotation, a key step in many industrial processes. Oil-coated bubbles can be more effective for separating hydrophilic particles with low affinity for the air–water interface, but the rise dynamics of oil-coated bubbles has not yet been explored. In the present work, we report the first systematic study of the shape and rise trajectory of bubbles engulfed in a layer of oil. Results from direct observation of the coated bubbles with a high-speed camera are compared to computer simulations and confirm a pronounced effect of the oil coat on the bubble dynamics. We consistently find that the oil-coated bubbles display a more spherical shape and straighter trajectory, yet slower rise than uncoated bubbles of comparable size. These characteristics may provide practical benefits for flotation separations with oil-coated bubbles. 

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2. Galloping Bubbles

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56611-5  

   Guan, Jian H; Tamim, Saiful I; Magoon, Connor W; Stone, Howard A; Sáenz, Pedro J (December 2025, Nature Communications)

   Abstract Despite centuries of investigation, bubbles continue to unveil intriguing dynamics relevant to a multitude of practical applications, including industrial, biological, geophysical, and medical settings. Here we introduce bubbles that spontaneously start to ‘gallop’ along horizontal surfaces inside a vertically-vibrated fluid chamber, self-propelled by a resonant interaction between their shape oscillation modes. These active bubbles exhibit distinct trajectory regimes, including rectilinear, orbital, and run-and-tumble motions, which can be tuned dynamically via the external forcing. Through periodic body deformations, galloping bubbles swim leveraging inertial forces rather than vortex shedding, enabling them to maneuver even when viscous traction is not viable. The galloping symmetry breaking provides a robust self-propulsion mechanism, arising in bubbles whether separated from the wall by a liquid film or directly attached to it, and is captured by a minimal oscillator model, highlighting its universality. Through proof-of-concept demonstrations, we showcase the technological potential of the galloping locomotion for applications involving bubble generation and removal, transport and sorting, navigating complex fluid networks, and surface cleaning. The rich dynamics of galloping bubbles suggest exciting opportunities in heat transfer, microfluidic transport, probing and cleaning, bubble-based computing, soft robotics, and active matter. 

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3. Plasma–liquid interactions on acoustically structured Faraday liquid interfaces

   https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/add6d5  

   Walker, R Z; Doyle, S J; Foster, J E (May 2025, Plasma Sources Science and Technology)

   Abstract Enhancing reactive species transport at the plasma–liquid interface is important for scaling of atmospheric pressure plasmas studied in the laboratory to real-world applications. It is well-known that the introduction of turbulence at any interface will enhance mixing by enhancing species uptake from the gas phase to the liquid phase by surface renewal processes, entrainment, bubbles and surface area modification. The goal of this work is to isolate surface effects associated with turbulence from the multitude of turbulent transport enhanced processes by artificially introducing surface perturbations using Faraday waves. Experiments were conducted to determine decoloration rate constants of a model contaminant (methylene blue) as a function of both discharge features (including positive and negative streamers) and hydrodynamics (Faraday surface wavelengths). The local plasma ionization wave at the interfacial structure was modeled and compared to experiments. Interestingly, it was found in experiments that plasma in contact with the water also generated capillary waves thus modifying the surface as well. Plasma ionization waves in combination with acoustic driven Faraday waves adds to the complexity of interpreting the effects of, for example, surface area increases, due to these complex coupled phenomenon. Local plasma ionization wave structure appears to be modified (increased propagation distance) when the liquid is perturbed, leading to increased contact of the liquid water surface with reactive species. Along with interfacial surface area growth, nonlinear convective transport is also increased with perturbations, leading to the general realization that acoustic perturbations can improve transport and thus decoloration of the model contaminant dye. 

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4. Biofilm removal effect of diatom complex on 3D printed denture base resin

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54408-y  

   Choi, Sung-sil; Lee, Joo Hun; Kong, Hyunjoon; Park, Eun-Jin (December 2024, Scientific Reports)

   Abstract For patients who have difficulty in mechanical cleaning of dental appliances, a denture cleaner that can remove biofilm with dense extracellular polymeric substances is needed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of diatom complex with active micro-locomotion for removing biofilms from 3D printed dentures. The diatom complex, which is made by doping MnO₂nanosheets on diatom biosilica, is mixed with H₂O₂to generate fine air bubbles continuously. Denture base resin specimens were 3D printed in a roof shape, andPseudomonas aeruginosa(10⁷ CFU/mL) was cultured on those for biofilm formation. Cleaning solutions of phosphate-buffered saline (negative control, NC), 3% H₂O₂with peracetic acid (positive control, PC), denture cleanser tablet (DCT), 3% H₂O₂with 2 mg/mL diatom complex M (Melosira, DM), 3% H₂O₂with 2 mg/mL diatom complex A (Aulacoseira, DA), and DCT with 2 mg/mL DM were prepared and applied. To assess the efficacy of biofilm removal quantitatively, absorbance after cleaning was measured. To evaluate the stability of long-term use, surface roughness, ΔE, surface micro-hardness, and flexural strength of the 3D printed dentures were measured before and after cleaning. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows with one-way ANOVA, followed by Scheffe’s test as a post hoc (p < 0.05). The group treated with 3% H₂O₂with DA demonstrated the lowest absorbance value, followed by the groups treated with 3% H₂O₂with DM, PC, DCT, DCT + DM, and finally NC. As a result of Scheffe’s test to evaluate the significance of difference between the mean values of each group, statistically significant differences were shown in all groups based on the NC group. The DA and DM groups showed the largest mean difference though there was no significant difference between the two groups. Regarding the evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of the denture base resin, no statistically significant differences were observed before and after cleaning. In the cytotoxicity test, the relative cell count was over 70%, reflecting an absence of cytotoxicity. The diatom complex utilizing active micro-locomotion has effective biofilm removal ability and has a minimal effect in physical and mechanical properties of the substrate with no cytotoxicity. 

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5. Surface wave development and ambient sound in the ocean

   https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.170897048.88674766/v2  

   Thomson, Jim; Yang, Jie; Taylor, Robert; Rainville, EJ; Zeiden, Kristin L; Rainville, Luc; Brenner, Samuel Dale; Ballard, Megan S; Cronin, Meghan F (September 2024, ESS Open Archive)

   Wind, wave, and acoustic observations are used to test a scaling for ambient sound levels in the ocean that is based on wind speed and the degree of surface wave development (at a given wind speed). The focus of this study is acoustic frequencies in the range 1-20 kHz, for which sound is generated by the bubbles injected during surface wave breaking. Traditionally, ambient sound spectra in this frequency range are scaled by wind speed alone. In this study, we investigate a secondary dependence on surface wave development. For any given wind-speed, ambient sound levels are separated into conditions in which waves are 1) actively developing or 2) fully developed. Wave development is quantified using the non-dimensional wave height, a metric commonly used to analyze fetch or duration limitations in wave growth. This simple metric is applicable in both coastal and open ocean environments. Use of the wave development metric to scale sound spectra is first motivated with observations from a brief case study near the island of Jan Mayen (Norwegian Sea), then robustly tested with long time-series observations of winds and waves at Ocean Station Papa (North Pacific Ocean). When waves are actively developing, ambient sound levels are elevated 2-3 dB across the 1-20 kHz frequency range. This result is discussed in the context of sound generation during wave breaking and sound attenuation by persistent bubble layers. 

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