Increasing Applications of Micro Bubbles

There have been a lot of research studies on micro bubbles in
recent years. 

Micro bubbles are miniature gas bubbles of less than 50 microns
diameter in water. The micro bubbles, which mostly contain
oxygen or air, can remain suspended in the water for an extended
period. Gradually, the gas within the micro bubbles dissolves
into the water and the bubbles disappear. These bubbles are
generated by various types of aerators now available in the
market.

These micro bubbles, being of extremely small size, are
characterized by having electrical charges. They attract
suspended floating particles very effectively. This particular
property has been used in sludge treatment by using the micro
bubbles to capture and float organic matters, thus decreasing
the time required for the sludge treatment. 

Micro bubbles have also been introduced by the Japanese to
market safe and good tasting oysters. Micro bubbles of
concentrated oxygen containing about 2% ozone can be used to
inactivate norovirus in shellfish and oysters. This norovirus is
one of the major pathogens causing food poisoning in winter.
This is a much more cost effective method compared to
cultivating the oysters in sterile seawater and using
chlorine-based germicide. 

Another emergent usage of micro bubbles is in the areas of
cancer treatment. Scientists are in the process of developing a
method of diagnosing cancer lesions by injecting micro bubbles
into the blood stream. During the ultrasonic scan for cancer
lesions, the micro bubbles contract and expand rapidly due to
the pressures produced by the ultrasonic beam. Groups of the
micro bubbles at cancerous tumours will show up very visibly on
ultrasonic scans to indicate the presence of cancerous cells. 

Due to their large surface area volume ratio, micro bubbles can
penetrate deeply into a surface for effective cleaning. This
cleaning effect of micro bubbles is used in cleaning the inside
of vegetables such as cabbage and radish sprout, as well as
maintenance of freshness with vegetables in one particular
vegetable processing center in Japan. 

On a more personal level, the micro bubbles can penetrate deeply
into skin for a good scrub without the need for any shampoo or
soap. This skin treatment has been introduced within some spas
in Japan as well as shops specializing in bathing pets. Needless
to say, the baths are especially helpful for pets which have
skin allergies to pet shampoos. 

Suwa companies are also developing a small handy micro bubble
generator which can be used at home. With all the product
development going on, very soon, you may be able to purchase a
micro bubble generator at your electronics store and relax in a
micro bubble bath at home.