Search Results (79)

Bubbles in submarine cold-seep plumes cause strong scattering, attenuation, and poor continuity in water-column seismic responses, hindering continuous two-dimensional characterization of acoustic properties. Using multichannel seismic data from the Shenhu area, northern South China Sea, this study proposes a conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD)-constrained, layer-wise two-angle allied elastic impedance (AEI) inversion method to reconstruct water-column velocity. Based on the scattering-equivalent AEI theory, a two-angle equation is derived for layer-wise estimation of water-column velocity, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the subsequent inversion. A relative-amplitude-preserving workflow mitigates bubble-induced attenuation and random scattering, while pre-stack time migration produces common reflection point (CRP) angle gathers. Coherent scattered energy after imaging is parameterized by the local scattering half-angle. Small-angle and large-angle gathers are selected according to effective angular coverage for AEI inversion. CTD-derived seawater velocity and density provide AEI constraints, and the normalized two-angle AEI equation yields a continuous velocity section. Results show velocities of 1460–1560 m/s, with pronounced vertical stratification, relatively weak lateral variation, and agreement between inverted and CTD-derived velocity trends. Within the 0–1800 ms water-column time window, the root-mean-square difference between the inverted and CTD-derived velocities is 18.19 m/s. Combining the lateral continuity of multichannel seismic data with high-accuracy CTD-derived physical-property constraints enables continuous two-dimensional velocity reconstruction in bubble-scattering water columns and offers a new approach for observing cold-seep velocity structure and geophysically characterizing bubble-plume activity. Full article

The Lower Cambrian shale has been considered an important target for shale gas exploration in South China. However, systematic research on the differences in pore structure and their controlling factors in shales from different sedimentary facies is still lacking, which hinders the accurate prediction of favorable areas. In this study, pore types, structural parameters, heterogeneity and connectivity of the Lower Cambrian shale samples from the shallow shelf, deep shelf and slope were qualitatively and quantitatively characterized by using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), low-pressure CO₂ adsorption (LPCA), low-pressure N₂ adsorption (LPNA) and multifractal theory, in order to reveal the reservoir characteristics and differences among these sedimentary facies. The results show that organic pores dominate the pore space in shales from different sedimentary facies, but their morphology and abundance are controlled by the depositional environment. The shallow shelf shales are characterized by scattered organic pores and abundant intragranular pores. Deep shelf shales feature uniformly distributed bubble-like organic pores and have the highest non-micropore volume. Slope shales contain the most developed micropores, with organic pores mainly occurring within organic matter (OM). Total organic carbon (TOC) is the primary factor controlling pore development. It affects pore connectivity and heterogeneity by regulating the development of pore space. Micropore connectivity increases with TOC content. In contrast, non-micropore connectivity first increases and then decreases as TOC increases. The influence of mineral components on shale pore structure varies with sedimentary facies. Clay minerals promote micropore development in shallow and deep shelf shales by adsorbing abundant OM. Carbonate minerals inhibit micropore development through diluting TOC content and cementing pore. However, dissolution of carbonate minerals can contribute to non-micropore space in shallow shelf shales. Deep shelf and slope shales with TOC between 4% and 6% have optimal pore volume, high connectivity, and low heterogeneity, and are the main intervals for forming high-quality shale reservoirs. This study clarifies the pore structure characteristics and controlling factors of shale reservoirs in different sedimentary facies, providing a theoretical basis for predicting and exploring shale gas sweet spots in the Lower Cambrian of South China. Full article

Nanobubbles have attracted increasing interest in food systems because they can modify gas dispersion, interfacial transport, washing performance, preservation processes, and the structures of dispersed matrices. However, their behavior cannot be interpreted based on bubble size alone. Proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, salts, colloidal particles, gas composition, and processing conditions can alter interfacial adsorption, gas transfer, bubble persistence, and matrix organization in food systems. This review examines the physicochemical mechanisms proposed to explain nanobubble persistence and functionality, with an emphasis on surface charge, interfacial adsorption, gas supersaturation, confinement, and interactions with food biopolymers. A central distinction is made between passive nanobubble-containing systems and externally activated systems involving hydrodynamic cavitation, ultrasound, plasma, pressure fluctuations, and reactive gases. Under passive conditions, nanobubbles mainly act as gas–liquid interfaces that influence local transport and adsorption. In activated systems, microbial inactivation, reactive oxygen species formation, and apparent mass-transfer enhancement often arise from external energy input, gas chemistry, turbulence, and transient supersaturation rather than from nanobubbles alone. Interfacial stability is used here as an organizing concept to connect nanobubble persistence, food-matrix interactions, generation methods, characterization limitations, and interpretation of reported technological effects. Current methods, such as dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis, provide useful size and concentration estimates but cannot unambiguously distinguish nanobubbles from protein aggregates, fat droplets, micelles, polysaccharide assemblies, and other colloidal structures in complex matrices. Therefore, reliable interpretation requires complementary methods, appropriate controls, and standardized reporting of gas composition, generation method, energy input, matrix properties, and processing conditions. Thus, nanobubble-containing technologies show promise for food processing; however, their value depends on the separation of nanoscale interfacial effects from concurrent hydrodynamic, chemical, and matrix-dependent phenomena. Full article

The underwater explosion bubble is one of the primary loads generated by underwater explosive detonations, and the presence of complex detonation products results in its unique physical evolution characteristics. Based on classical bubble dynamics theory, this paper introduces the JWL equation of state for explosives and the instantaneous detonation assumption to determine the initial boundary conditions of the explosion bubble, establishing a second-order analytical model. Addressing the mass loss during bubble pulsation, the physical mechanisms of convective mass transfer in the boundary layer and the inertial scattering of insoluble elements are analyzed. Accordingly, a modified dynamic model incorporating mass loss is established. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed model are verified through comparison with experimental data from underwater explosions. The results indicate that the inertial scattering of insoluble elements is the dominant mechanism governing bubble mass loss, while the macroscopic effects of the mass loss of detonation products primarily manifest during the secondary pressure pulsation and subsequent evolution stages. This study provides reliable theoretical predictions within the primary pulsation cycles of explosion bubble pulsation characteristics, providing theoretical support for further elucidating the underlying mechanisms of underwater explosion bubble dynamics. Full article

Baltic amber exhibits a wide range of colors and has attracted considerable attention in materials science. Previous studies have mainly focused on the origin and formation characteristics of beeswax-amber, while the relationship between beeswax-amber color and the microstructural characteristics of internal bubbles remains poorly understood. Ten beeswax-amber specimens exhibiting a color gradient from yellow to white were selected. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine and analyze their internal structures, with a focus on documenting bubble size, number, and density characteristics. Ultraviolet (UV) illumination was employed for qualitative optical observation, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was conducted to identify component phase and spectra. The correlation between bubbles and color was analyzed to infer the origin of white beeswax-amber’s coloration and explore the mechanisms underlying beeswax-amber’s color variation. Results indicate that beeswax-amber coloration is closely linked to its microscopic bubble characteristics. The microstructure satisfies conditions for Mie scattering, some white beeswax-amber samples contain abundant nanoscale bubbles, triggering a combined effect of Rayleigh and Mie scattering. These results demonstrate that the color of Baltic amber is governed not only by its intrinsic body color but also by the synergistic optical effects arising from internal bubble microstructures, providing a physically grounded explanation for its diverse appearances. Full article

Underwater micro-bubble detection entails multiple challenges, including diminutive target sizes, sparse pixel information, pronounced specular highlights and water scattering, indistinct bubble boundaries, and adhesion or overlap between instances. To address these issues, we propose HSMD-YOLO, an improved detector tailored for high-resolution micro-bubble detection and built upon YOLOv11. The model incorporates three novel components: the Scale Switch Block (SSB), a scale-transformation module that suppresses artifacts and background noise, thereby stabilizing edges in thin-walled bubble regions and enhancing sensitivity to geometric contours; the Global Local Refine Block (GLRB), which achieves efficient global relationship modeling with an asymptotic linear complexity ($O\left(N\right)$) in spatial dimensions while further refining local features, thereby strengthening boundary perception and improving bubble–background separability; and the Bidirectional Exponential Moving Attention Fusion (BEMAF), which accommodates the multi-scale nature of bubbles by employing a parallel multi-kernel architecture to extract spatial features across scales, coupled with a multi-stage EMA based attention mechanism to enhance detection robustness under weak boundaries and complex backgrounds. Experiments conducted on an Side-Illuminated Light Field Bubble Database (SILB-DB) and a public gas–liquid two-phase flow dataset (GTFD) demonstrate that HSMD-YOLO achieves mAP@50 scores of 0.911 and 0.854, respectively, surpassing mainstream detection methods. Ablation studies indicate that SSB, GLRB, and BEMAF contribute performance gains of 1.3%, 2.0%, and 0.4%, respectively, thereby corroborating the effectiveness of each module for micro-scale object detection. Full article

This study examines the joining characteristics of Cu foil stacks to lead tabs using green-laser welding in the main-welding step of a sequential welding process for lithium-ion pouch cells. The influence of lap configuration, line and wobble seam strategies, and process parameters was systematically investigated in terms of bead morphology, mechanical performance, metallurgical characteristics, and electrical resistance. Under the present line-welding parameter window (2.0 kW, 100–200 mm/s), humping, pinholes, and porosity were observed, particularly in the upper lead-tab configuration, which is attributed to melt-pool/keyhole instability under the applied conditions. Wobble welding effectively suppressed these defects in the foil-stack configuration by promoting stable melt flow and efficient bubble expulsion. Mechanical tests revealed that the wobble-based seam strategy achieved a maximum tensile–shear load of approximately 1.28 kN at a wobble amplitude of 0.8 mm. Fracture analysis confirmed a transition from seam-type interfacial failure in line welding to ductile tearing in the heat-affected zone with wobble welding. In electrical performance, wobble welding reduced resistance to as low as 45 µΩ at a wobble amplitude of 1.2 mm, while line welding yielded higher and scattered values. These results should be interpreted as the combined outcome of the wobble-based seam strategy (beam oscillation together with overlapped stitch welding at a lower travel speed) under the present processing windows. A strictly matched A/B comparison at identical linear energy density and seam layout will be investigated in future work to isolate the effect of oscillation. Full article

The long-term stability of bulk nanobubbles is crucial for their functional applications; however, understanding the evolution of their size distribution remains a significant challenge. While conventional characterization methods, such as Dynamic Light Scattering and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, provide size information, they are often sample-intensive and expensive, making them ill-suited for high-throughput or long-term dynamic monitoring of size distribution polydispersity. This research validated UV–Vis spectrophotometry as a simple, powerful tool for tracking these dynamic changes. Air nanobubbles generated via pressure oscillation-hydraulic cavitation were systematically monitored over 30 days using correlative DLS, NTA, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. A distinct two-stage evolution was identified: an initial “purification” phase marked by the dissolution of unstable bubbles, followed by a long-term “maturation” phase governed by Ostwald ripening. The Ångström exponent (n), derived from the full extinction spectrum, is a highly sensitive descriptor of this process. The evolution of n traced a unique V-shaped trajectory, which resulted in a pronounced hysteresis loop when plotted against the mean diameter from DLS. This hysteresis reveals that systems with identical mean diameters can possess vastly different distribution morphologies, which are inaccessible through traditional sizing methods alone. This research establishes full-spectrum UV–Vis analysis as a robust methodology, enabling rapid and efficient assessment of nanobubble stability and providing a deeper mechanistic understanding of their complex evolution. Full article

The sonic-IR method is an innovative approach to defect detection. Ultrasonic waves are input to the inspection object, and the frictional heat generated by friction with the defect interfaces is detected by an infrared camera. A notable advantage of this method is its superior detection ability to detect closure defects that are often missed by other inspection methods. However, the conventional Sonic-IR method of pressing an ultrasonic transducer directly against the inspection object may cause deformation or surface damage, depending on the material and shape of the object. As a method to solve this problem, the immersion Sonic-IR testing, in which ultrasonic waves are input to the inspection object through water, has been proposed. However, this method has a problem in defect detectability because of the small frictional heat at the defects. Large-diameter bubbles in water are difficult to collapse and also cause scattering and attenuation of ultrasonic waves. In contrast, small-diameter bubbles are easily collapsed so that cavitation, which is a source of vibrational energy, is likely to occur. The objective of this study is to investigate the influences of dissolved oxygen and microbubbles on the sound pressure level in the water and heat generation at defects in order to improve the defect detectability of the immersion Sonic-IR testing. Full article

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) plays a pivotal role in stabilising and controlling the motion of chiral spin textures, such as Néel-type bubble domains, in ultrathin magnetic films—an essential feature for next-generation spintronic devices. In this work, we investigate domain wall (DW) dynamics in magnetron-sputtered Ta(3 nm)/Pt(3 nm)/Co(1 nm)/RuO₂(1 nm) [Ru(1 nm)]/Pt(3 nm) multilayers, benchmarking their behaviour against control stacks. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) was employed to determine saturation magnetisation and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), while polar magneto-optical Kerr effect (P-MOKE) measurements provided coercivity data. Kerr microscopy visualised the expansion of bubble-shaped domains under combined perpendicular and in-plane magnetic fields, enabling the extraction of effective DMI fields. Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectroscopy quantified the asymmetric propagation of spin waves, and micromagnetic simulations corroborated the experimental findings. The Pt/Co/RuO₂ system exhibits a Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) constant of ≈1.08 mJ/m², slightly higher than the Pt/Co/Ru system (≈1.03 mJ/m²) and much higher than the Pt/Co control (≈0.23 mJ/m²). Correspondingly, domain walls in the RuO₂-capped films show pronounced velocity asymmetry under in-plane fields, whereas the symmetric Pt/Co/Pt shows negligible asymmetry. Despite lower depinning fields in the Ru-capped sample, its domain walls move faster than those in the RuO₂-capped sample, indicating reduced pinning. Our results demonstrate that integrating RuO₂ significantly alters interfacial spin–orbit interactions. Full article

Copper alloys are critical heat sink materials for fusion reactor divertors due to their high thermal conductivity (TC) and strength, yet their performance under extreme particle bombardment and heat fluxes in future tokamaks requires enhancement. While neutron-induced transmutation helium affects the properties of copper, the atomistic mechanisms linking helium bubble size to thermal transport remain unclear. This study employs non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations to isolate the effect of bubble diameter (10, 20, 30, 40 Å) on TC in copper, maintaining a constant He-to-vacancy ratio of 2.5. Results demonstrate that larger bubbles significantly impair TC. This reduction correlates with increased Kapitza thermal resistance and pronounced lattice distortion from outward helium diffusion, intensifying phonon scattering. Phonon density of states (PDOS) analysis reveals diminished low-frequency peaks and an elevated high-frequency peak for bubbles >30 Å, confirming phonon confinement and localized vibrational modes. The PDOS overlap factor decreases with bubble size, directly linking microstructural evolution to thermal resistance. These findings elucidate the size-dependent mechanisms of helium bubble impacts on thermal transport in copper divertor materials. Full article

It is well known that aqueous solutions can emit electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range. However, the physical nature of this process is not yet fully understood. In this work, the possible role of gas nanobubbles formed in the bulk liquid is considered. We develop a theoretical model based on the concept of gas bubbles stabilized by ions, or “bubstons”. The role of bicarbonate and hydronium ions in the formation and stabilization of bubstons is explained through the use of quantum chemical simulations. A new model of oscillating bubstons, which takes into account the double electric layer formed around their gas core, is proposed. Theoretical estimates of the frequencies and intensities of oscillations of such compound species are obtained. It was determined that oscillations of negatively charged bubstons can occur in the GHz frequency range, and should be accompanied by the emission of electromagnetic waves. To validate the theoretical assumptions, we used dynamic light scattering (DLS) and showed that, after subjecting aqueous solutions to vigorous shaking with a force of 4 or 8 N (kg·m/s²) and a frequency of 4–5 Hz, the volume number density of bubstons increased by about two orders of magnitude. Radiometric measurements in the frequency range of 50 MHz to 3.5 GHz revealed an increase in the intensity of radiation emitted by water samples upon the vibrational treatment. It is argued that, according to our new theoretical model, this radiation can be caused by oscillating bubstons. Full article

Lipid-shelled microbubbles (MBs) and echogenic liposomes (ELIPs) have been proposed as acoustofluidic theranostic agents after having been proven to be efficient in diagnostics as ultrasonic contrast agents. Their mechanical properties—such as shell stiffness, friction, and resonance frequency—are critical to their performance, stability, oscillatory dynamics, and response to sonication. A precise characterization of these properties is essential for optimizing their biomedical applications, however the current methods vary significantly in their sensitivity and accuracy. This review examines the experimental and theoretical methodologies used to quantify the mechanical properties of MBs and ELIPs, discusses how each approach estimates shell stiffness and friction, and outlines the strengths and limitations inherent to each technique. Additionally, the effects of parameters such as temperature and lipid composition on MB and ELIP mechanical behavior are examined. Four characterization methods are analyzed, including frequency-dependent attenuation, optical observation, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and laser scattering, their advantages and limitations are critically assessed. Additionally, the factors that influence the mechanical properties of the MBs and ELIPs, such as temperature and lipid composition, are examined. Frequency-dependent attenuation was shown to provide reliable shell elasticity estimates but is influenced by nonlinear oscillations, AFM confirms that microbubble stiffness is size-dependent with smaller bubbles exhibiting higher shell stiffness, and theoretical models such as modified Rayleigh–Plesset equations increasingly incorporate viscoelastic shell properties to improve prediction accuracy. However, many of these models still assume radial symmetry and neglect inter-bubble interactions, which can lead to inaccurate elasticity values when applied to dense suspensions. In such cases, using modified frameworks like the Sarkar model, which incorporates damping and surface tension explicitly, may provide more reliable estimates under nonlinear conditions. Additionally, lipid composition and temperature significantly affect shell mechanics, with higher temperatures generally reducing stiffness. On the other hand, inconsistencies in experimental protocols hinder direct comparison across studies, highlighting the need for standardized characterization methods and improved computational modeling. Full article

The existence of bubble defects in ultra-low expansion quartz glass will affect the optical properties and mechanical strength of the material. The present paper proposes a novel defect characterization method based on ultrasonic nondestructive testing. The simulation model of bubble defect detection in ultra-low expansion quartz glass was established using numerical simulation technology, and experimental verification was carried out. The propagation mechanism of the ultrasound and its interaction with bubble defects were then analyzed. The results showed that the shape of the reflected wave was similar to that of the corresponding defect, and the scattering of the reflected wave was different due to the different curvature radius of the defect interface. The acoustic scattering characteristics of the circular defect were more obvious than those of the elliptical defect. Finally, an analysis of the interaction between different depth defects and different size defects and the ultrasound was conducted, leading to the conclusion that the relative amplitude of the defect echo corresponding to a 6 mm probe diameter shows a monotonic decreasing relationship with the defect depth, and there is also a monotonic corresponding relationship between the relative amplitude of the defect echo and the size of bubble defect. Therefore, it can be concluded that the relative amplitude of the defect echo can be used to characterize the size of the bubble defect. This study not only analyses the interaction between defects and ultrasound but also provides a quantitative characterization of defects using the proposed method. Full article

In order to investigate the bubble dynamics and thermal effects of stable cavitation under different acoustic fields, this study computes and analyzes a series of DNS (Direct Numerical Simulation) approaches with the VOF (Volume of Fluid) method. The analysis focuses on bubble clusters with a radius of 1.5 μm and a void ratio of ${10}^{-6}$, commonly encountered in ultrasound therapy. Firstly, the results show that the thermal effects of bubble cavitation are non-linearly positively correlated with the ultrasound amplitude and the volume changes of the bubbles. Meanwhile, acoustic scattering caused by ultrasound passing through the bubbles leads to acoustic pressure focusing, intensifying cavitation. Secondly, the thermal effect is most evident at an acoustic frequency of 250 kHz. When the ultrasound input frequency is higher than 250 kHz, acoustic attenuation occurs, while at frequencies lower than 250 kHz, the efficiency of bubbles’ energy absorption reduces. Finally, when the acoustic pressure amplitude on the bubble surface is above 210 kPa, the thermal effect of cavitation is significantly enhanced. However, the temperature rise in the flow domain gradually slows with time and eventually reaches a fixed rate. To sum up, to optimize and control the thermal effects of ultrasound therapy, the ultrasound frequency and amplitude must be carefully selected based on the targeted bubble cluster. Full article