Evidence and Physics of Nanobubbles in Water

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Claus-Dieter Ohl
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics ; Fluid Mechanics
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 410738969

Gases dissolved as molecules in water support life from bacteria to fish stocks. Recently claims emerged that water can be stably oversaturated by creating gaseous bodies, aka nanobubbles. These claims were supported with reports of their beneficial use. Yet as of now scientific proofs that nanobubbles exist are absent. Here, we will provide answers to the pertaining questions if these nanobubbles exists, what stabilises them, and how they can be generated. Prof Ohl focuses on the formation of individual nanobubbles and their stabilisation, while Prof Sun (China) evaluates large populations of nanobubbles through pressure sensitive dynamic light scattering.The deliverables of the project are to provide a concrete answer on the existence of bulk nanobubbles in various condition, to search for environments for stability, understand the mechanisms leading to stability, and explore the operation of current fine nanobubble generators (China).

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: China
• Partner Organisation: National Natural Science Foundation of China
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Chao Sun, Ph.D.