Big Bubble Research Articles

Analysis of sheet cavitation with bubble/bubble interaction models

A new cavitation model based on bubble/bubble interactions has been recently proposed by the authors Adama Maiga, Coutier-Delgosha, and Buisine [“A new Cavitation model based on bubble-bubble interactions,” Phys. Fluids 30, 123301 (2018)]. It includes all nonlinear interaction terms between two bubbles, and the only input is the local velocity divergence, while the classical Rayleigh-Plesset or Gilmore models only take into account the linear interaction terms and require the local pressure evolution. In this previous publication, the model has been validated against cases of single bubbles growths and collapses. In the present paper, the same model is applied to configurations of high-speed cavitating flow on a Venturi profile and a two-dimensional foil section, where experiments based on X-ray imaging have been recently conducted. Based on the flow velocity fields available in the two cases, the local velocity divergence is calculated, and a one-dimensional mean divergence evolution from the leading edge to the wake of the cavity is extracted and used as an input for the model validation. The evolutions of the biggest bubble and the volume of vapor are both found in good agreement with the experiments. A typical velocity divergence evolution is then defined, and our model is compared to the modified Rayleigh-Plesset equation that includes the interactions between multiple bubbles. It confirms that the radius evolution of the biggest bubble is systematically better estimated by the new model due to its capability to continuously take into account the interactions of big bubbles with smaller bubbles. Eventually, the model is used to investigate the scale effect, by applying 6 different time scales of cavitation development covering more than 5 orders of magnitude. It is shown that the bubble size does not vary proportionally to the scale, but according to a law that is empirically determined.

Successful Visualization of a Big Bubble during Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty using Intraoperative OCT

Successful Visualization of a Big Bubble during Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty using Intraoperative OCT

Rheology of High-Capillary Number Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media

Flow of immiscible fluids in porous media at high capillary numbers may be characterized by an effective viscosity. We demonstrate that the effective viscosity is well described by the Lichtenecker-Rother equation. Depending on the pore geometry, wettability and viscosity of the fluids, the exponent $\alpha$ in this equation can have different values. We find $\alpha = 1$ when fluids are well mixed with small bubbles, $\alpha = 0.6$ in two- and $0.5$ in three-dimensional systems when there is less mixing with the appearance of big bubbles, and $\alpha = -0.5$ when lubrication layers are formed along the pore walls. Our arguments are based on analytical and numerical methods.

Effect of near-wake jet on the lock-in of a freely vibrating square cylinder

We present a numerical study of a freely vibrating square cylinder with steady bleeding at its base side. In particular, we focus on the suppression of vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and the reduction of drag force for the elastically mounted square cylinder at a laminar flow condition via near-wake jet. We examine the base bleeding mechanism in the near-wake region of a square cylinder and its influence over the flow dynamics and the wake characteristics for both stationary (nonlock-in) and freely vibrating (lock-in) conditions. We consider the near-wake jet parameter as a function of the bleed coefficient (Cq), which is the ratio of near-wake jet flow velocity to the freestream velocity and depends on the Reynolds number (Re) based on the diameter of the cylinder. Investigations of the hydrodynamic coefficients and the flow features are carried out for the laminar Re range, namely, Re = 40, 60, 100, and 150. A single dominant frequency peak is observed in the lift coefficient spectrum plot for all the Reynolds numbers considered, but two peaks are observed for Re = 150 at Cq = 0.175 and 0.2. Higher Cq values behave like a splitter plate thereby preventing the interaction of alternating shear layers. The variation of the mean drag is associated with the pressure distribution around the cylinder surface and along the streamwise locations. This leads to a thinner wake width, weaker vortices, and higher vortex shedding frequency as observed earlier in the literature. The sharp spikes of pressure coefficient at the base side of the cylinder are observed for Re ∈ [40, 150] due to the near-wake jet, accounting for the fluctuations of drag force coefficient. We demonstrate the formation of multiple vortices at the wake region due to the near-wake jet from our detailed qualitative analysis. We observe counter-rotating pair of recirculating fluids flanking at the near-wake jet location and examine the recovery of base pressure due to the jet flow. We demonstrate the splitting of big circulation fluid bubble into many smaller counter-rotating fluids due to high-velocity jet flow, resulting into the stabilization of flow profiles in the wake region. We extend this investigation to quantify the effect of the near-wake jet on the two-degree-of-freedom cylinder system at the representative Reynolds number Re = 100 and three mass ratios m* = 1, 2, and 3. We demonstrate the reduction of peak transverse VIV amplitude by 90% in comparison to the plain cylinder counterpart.

Factors Affecting Formation of Type-1 and Type-2 Big Bubble during Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

ABSTRACTPurpose: To determine the factors associated with the formation of different types of big bubble (BB) during DALK.Methods: In this retrospective study, 322 consecutive eyes of 307 patients with corneal stromal disorders who underwent DALK between January 2014 and June 2017 were included. Age, sex, corneal pathology, visual acuity, corneal curvature, corneal thickness, and adverse events were recorded. The main outcome measure was the success of BB formation with respect to the corneal pathology.Results: Type-1 BB was achieved in 147 eyes (45.7%), whereas type-2 BB was formed in 109 eyes (33.9%). The overall success rate of BB formation was 82.9%. Type-1 BB formation in keratoconus patients was significantly higher than type-2 BB (83.8% vs 2.6%, p < 0.001). In contrast, type-2 BB formation was significantly higher than type-1 BB (61.0% vs 15.6%, p < 0.001) in patients with corneal scars. Type-1 BB was more likely to be seen in patients with superficial corneal scarring, granular, and lattice dystrophies, while corneas with deep scarring and macular dystrophy had more type-2 BB. The type of bubble was not associated with age and gender of the patients.Conclusions: The overall success of big-bubble (BB) deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) depends on the preoperative corneal pathology. Type −1 BB was more commonly seen in keratoconus patients whereas type-2 BB was observed in patients with deep corneal scars and other corneal pathologies affecting deeper layers of corneal stroma.

Population balance modelling of bubble columns under the heterogeneous flow regime

Industrial bubble columns generally operate under the so-called heterogeneous regime and with high gas volume fractions, implying a fundamental role of the coalescence and breakage phenomena. These columns are usually simulated thanks to Eulerian CFD modelling, whereas the local bubble size distribution can be estimated with population balance models. The coupling can be realized with the Quadrature Method of Moments in order to minimize the CPU time consumption. In this work, the CFD-PBM/QMOM approach is validated using experimental data. Various qualities of water and two spargers are investigated. Considering different additives and spargers allow studying separately the effect of breakage and coalescence. In particular, a perforated plate with many holes leads to the formation of small bubbles that hardly break. On the contrary, a perforated sparger with a few big holes induces the production of big bubbles in the lowest part of the column, enhancing breakage. In this second case, due to breakage, bubble size decreases quickly along the axial position until an equilibrium bubble size is reached. The presence of additives is used to further investigate coalescence and breakage phenomena, given that it generally suppresses coalescence and highlights the kinetics of breakage. In this work, a suitable set of breakage and coalescence kernels is proposed, capable of providing predictions in good agreement with experimental data for different bubble columns geometries, gas flow rates and additive concentrations.

The critical bubble diameter of the lift force in technical and environmental, buoyancy-driven bubbly flows

The lift force acting on particles, drops, and bubbles in a shear field is a well know effect that was extensively investigated since the 1980s. Experiments with single bubbles in a linear shear field reveal that the lift force coefficient has at a specific bubble size a zero where the coefficient switches its sign from positive to negative. Solving the lateral force balance for a polydisperse bubbly flow with the liquid flow field usually found in a bubble column, the lift force causes a spatial separation of small, which tend to the wall, and big bubbles, which tend to the center. Bubbles with a zero lift force coefficient on the other hand are equally distributed over the cross section. In order to investigate the influence of the flow field on the force balance, simulations with the Euler-Euler two-fluid model were conducted. The simulations are in good agreement with experiments and showed that the liquid flow field found in the used bubble column has a minor influence on the steady state distribution of the bubbles. From evaluating six different bubble column experiments conducted in air/water, the critical diameter at which the lift force coefficient is zero is determined between 5.1 and 5.2 mm. This result is very close to the critical diameter that we were able to determine in previous, single-bubble experiments. Therefore, the conclusion is possible that the lift force coefficients that are determined with single bubble experiments are applicable to the complex flow field found in polydisperse bubbly flows at low void fractions and low turbulence levels. Moreover, a very simple experimental setup is described to determine the critical diameter in complex flow situations, which is the most important point when it comes to modelling the lift force. Such a setup is therefore beneficial when complex substance mixtures used in a specific industrial or environmental application needs to be investigated since lift force correlations are only available for clean, ideal substances.

Effect of Air Injection Depth on Big-bubble Formation in Lamellar Keratoplasty: an Ex Vivo Study

This study evaluated the effect of air injection depth in the big-bubble (BB) technique, which is used for corneal tissue preparation in lamellar keratoplasty. The BB technique was performed on ex vivo human corneoscleral buttons using a depth-sensing needle, based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology. The needle tip, equipped with a miniaturized OCT depth-sensing probe, was inserted for air injection at a specified depth. Inside the corneal tissue, our needle obtained OCT line profiles, from which residual thickness below the needle tip was measured. Subjects were classified into Groups I, II, III, and IV based on injection depths of 75–80%, 80–85%, 85–90%, and >90% of the full corneal thickness, respectively. Both Type I and II BBs were produced when the mean residual thicknesses of air injection were 109.7 ± 38.0 µm and 52.4 ± 19.2 µm, respectively. Type II BB (4/5) was dominant in group IV. Bubble burst occurred in 1/16 cases of type I BB and 3/16 cases of type II BB, respectively. Injection depth was an important factor in determining the types of BBs produced. Deeper air injection could facilitate formation of Type II BBs, with an increased risk of bubble bursts.

Big bubble assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of descemetocele

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty(DALK) assisted with big bubbles for the treatment of descemetocele. Methods The data of 7 eyes of 7 cases with descemetocele from Jun.2017 to Oct.2017 underwent DALK assisted with big bubbles with tissue-engineered cornea were analyzed retrospectively.The followed-up time was 6 months. Results All patients were managed to keep their eyeballs.There was no corneal perforation or descemet membrane detachment after DALK.At 14 days after surgery, no edema in the corneal stroma of all tissue engineering cornea occurred with the SL-OCT examination.At 6 months after surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity was 0.1- 0.3 in 6 eyes.The whole corneal neovascularization was observed in 1 eye, whose uncorrected visual acuity was HM.During follow-up, no recurrence occurred.No endothelial rejection, secondary glaucoma or cataract occurred.Mild epithelial immune rejection occurred in 4 eyes, and the grafts were restored to be transparent after anti-rejection treatment.One eye suffered temporary high IOP.The IOP returned to normal after medicine treatment. Conclusion DALK assisted with big bubble with tissue-engineered cornea is an effective method for the treatment of descemetocele. Key words: Keratoplasty, deep lamellar, big bubble, assisted with; Tissue-engineered cornea; Descemetocele

Financial Crisis Expectations Intensify in the U.S.

The article represents a consideration of various expectations and predictions erased during Trump’s presidentship, that a big financial crisis will occur soon and inevitable. Arguments of different authors about the reasons and size of the future crisis are discussed. Noteworthy is that expectations of a big crisis emerged at the background of dynamic growth of U.S. economy which occur in 2017-2018 years as a sudden event after long stagflation. In spite of long waited by many economists ordinary cyclical crisis after 8 years of weak situation since the last recession, American economy demonstrates dynamic growth, which Trump believes has occurred thanks to his economic policy. Among the most important reasons of the future crisis the big budget deficit and huge government debt are at the first place. This conviction is surprisingly wide proliferated, and even prominent economists and successful financial dealers estimate the growing government debt as the source of big danger for American economy. Looks strange, that the debt is not estimated as a financial asset for riskless savings of national and international investors. From this point of view the problem of budget deficits and government debt is rather a management problem than a source of danger. Special attention is attracted to the financial market which is overestimated, and represents really a big danger for economic and financial stability. The behavior of main indexes indicates that a big bubble was created at this market, and it can explode at any time. This is the most probable way the next crisis will occur, and this may be the main reason of the coming crisis. Now, according to the basic economic laws, the further economic growth lasts, the nearer is the next crisis. So, Trump Administration has to be ready for big challenges the future crisis will bring.

Volume oscillation and acoustical scattering of a gas bubble

The exact solution of a gas bubble’ volume was obtained based on volume oscillation of a gas bubble. The volume pulsation, acoustic impedance, scattering pressure of a gas bubble, acoustical power of scattering and acoustical scattering cross section of a single bubble are researched in a small amplitude acoustic field. The results show that a big bubble oscillates more violently than that of a small bubble in a weak acoustic field if the linear resonance does not happen. The occurrence of a linear resonance response of a single bubble leads to the volume oscillation and the scattering ability of a gas bubble become stronger. Additionally, the scattering cross section does not depend on the driving pressure. The amplitude of scattering pressure of a big bubble can reach the magnitude compared to the driving pressure when the resonance response occurs.

Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.

To describe the feasibility and outcomes of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided, femtosecond laser-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in which the lamellar and tunnel cuts were completed by laser. The Ziemer Z8 system was used to scan the corneas intraoperatively and guide the stromal lamellar and tunnel cuts created by the laser. Thirty porcine eyes and 3 human cadaver globes were used to evaluate the accuracy of laser-created intrastromal tunnels and the feasibility of achieving big-bubble pneumatic dissection. The tunnel distance above the Descemet membrane (Dt-dm) was set at 100 and 130 μm, and the accuracy of laser cut was assessed by anterior segment OCT and histological sections. Fourteen patients with keratoconus or corneal scars were then included to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The deviation from the targeted Dt-dm was 5.5% to 8.6% and 0.7% to 9.8% for the 100 and 130 μm groups, respectively. The achieved thickness had a significantly and positively strong correlation with the targeted thickness (r = 0.86; P < 0.001). In all cases, the anterior stromal lamella was removed without difficulty, except in the patients with corneal scars in whom some remaining stromal fiber attachments were observed. A type 1 big bubble was successfully achieved in all patients. We present the accuracy and clinical outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted, intraoperative OCT-guided deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, in which controlled lamellar and tunnel cuts at desired depths were performed by laser in one step, and a successful big bubble was achieved.

Air Embolism During TEVAR: Liquid Perfluorocarbon Absorbs Carbon Dioxide in a Combined Flushing Technique and Decreases the Amount of Gas Released From Thoracic Stent-Grafts During Deployment in an Experimental Setting

Purpose:To investigate the influence of flushing thoracic stent-grafts with carbon dioxide and perfluorocarbon on the amount of gas released during stent-graft deployment in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Materials and Methods: Ten TX2 ProForm thoracic stent-grafts were deployed into a water-filled container with a curved plastic pipe and flushed sequentially with carbon dioxide, 20 mL of liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC), and 60 mL of saline. Released gas was measured using a calibrated setup. The volume of released gas was compared with the results of an earlier published reference group, in which identical stent-grafts were flushed with 60 mL saline alone as recommended in the instructions for use. Results: The average amount of gas released in the test group was 0.076 mL, significantly lower (p<0.001) than the mean 0.79 mL of gas released in the reference group. Big bubbles appearing at the tip of the sheath when deployment was started were seen in all grafts of the reference group but in only 2 of the test group stent-grafts. Small bubbles were less frequent in the test group. Conclusion: The amount of gas released from thoracic stent-grafts during deployment can be influenced by different flushing techniques. The use of PFC in addition to the carbon dioxide flushing technique reduces the volume of gas released during deployment of tubular thoracic stent-grafts to a few microliters. This significant effect is presumably based on the high solubility of carbon dioxide in perfluorocarbon and could be a potential future approach to lower the risk of cerebral injury and stroke from air embolism during TEVAR.

Management of Type 2 Bubble Formed During Big Bubble Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.

To review the outcome of 3 techniques for managing type 2 bubbles (between Descemet's membrane [DM] and stroma) formed during big bubble (BB) deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in different corneal pathologies. This is an interventional case series study of patients with type 2 bubbles formed during BB DALK. Three techniques to complete DALK are described: the first is a DM baring technique similar to Anwar's BB technique, the second is the microbubble incision technique to preserve the pre-Descemetic support to DM, and the third is done in eyes with combined type 1 and type 2 BB (mixed bubble), where the type 1 bubble is opened and surgery is completed avoiding the type 2 bubble. Thirty-one eyes of 31 patients were included. The DM baring technique has a high rate of conversion to penetrating keratoplasty (12 of 16 eyes). In the other 2 techniques (which did not bare DM), DALK could be completed in all 15 cases with intact DM. Double anterior chamber is a relatively common complication after type 2 BB, even with an intact DM. DM baring techniques should be avoided in eyes with type 2 BB. Instead, deep stromal dissection searching for an incomplete type 1 bubble or using one of the manual dissection techniques as a guide to the clear pre-Descemetic stroma is safer and more reliable.

Studies on fluidization characteristics of a continuous gas-solid fluidized bed with dynamic scrapers

Scrapers are important inner components in continuous fluidized beds in the state where they are most commonly used industry. Dynamic scrapers have significant effects on fluidization characteristics. A lab-scale continuous air dense medium fluidized bed (CADMFB) was designed, and the influences of operational parameters were studied. Moving scrapers lead to velocity gradients in the horizontal direction among magnetite particles in different bed heights, which assisted in loosening of the dense medium bed. Hence, bed pressure drop and minimum fluidization airflow rate were lower than those in beds with static scrapers. If the scraper velocity is kept constant, minimum fluidization airflow rate increases with increasing scraper distance. But the ratio of standard deviation to average bed pressure drop increases with the increase in the scraper distance, which indicates a decrease in bed stability. Minimum fluidization airflow rates also increased with increasing scraper velocities, but a fast scraper speed may also cause bed pressure fluctuations. Dynamic scrapers can inhibit the generation of big gas bubbles. Optimum scraper velocities for various scraper distances can be calculated by v>Lg0.6π0.21.43Q0.2. Results indicate that 50 mm was the ideal scraper distance, and the optimum scraper velocity was about 0.35 m/s. Results also show that fluidization in boundary zones between dynamic scrapers and static sidewalls was worse than that of middle zones of CADMFB.

Predictive Factors for Successful Type 1 Big Bubble during Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.

Objective Big bubble (BB)-deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) has become the reference transplantation technique for corneal stromal disorders. Type 1 BB is the desired aspect but it is not constant. We aimed to determine the predictive factors of type 1 BB success. Methods Observational cohort study including 77 consecutive eyes of 77 patients undergoing DALK by one surgeon at a single reference center without any selection. Clinical and spectral domain optical coherence tomography data were collected pre- and postoperatively. Results Stromal scars were found in 91.8% of cases and were located in the anterior (90.9%), mid (67.5%), and posterior (36.4%) stroma. Type 1 BB (49.3% of cases) was significantly associated with the absence of scars in the posterior stroma, stage 1–3 keratoconus, and deep trephination. Among eyes with posterior scars, type 1 BB was associated with higher minimal corneal thickness, maximum-minimum corneal thickness < 220 μm, and diagnosis other than keratoconus. Eyes with type 1 BB featured significantly thinner residual stromal bed (22 ± 8 µm versus 61 ± 28 µm), thinner corneas at 12, 24, and 36 months, and better visual acuity at 12 months compared with eyes with no type 1 BB. Conversely, no significant differences between both groups were observed for graft survival, visual acuity at 24 and 36 months, and endothelial cell density at 12 and 36 months. Conclusion OCT assessment before DALK is useful for choosing trephination depth that should be as deep as possible and for looking for posterior scars. The BB technique may not be the most appropriate method in keratoconus with posterior scars. Follow-up data do not support the need for conversion to penetrating keratoplasty when type 1 BB cannot be obtained nor does it support the need for performing a penetrating keratoplasty as a first-choice procedure in eyes with posterior stromal scars.

Evaluation of Big Bubble Technique for Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Patients With Radial Keratotomy.

To report the outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and success rates of the big-bubble (BB) technique or manual dissection after a failed use of the BB technique in eyes that underwent prior radial keratotomy (RK). A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent DALK after RK at Toronto Western Hospital, Canada, between 1999 and 2017 was performed. Demographic characteristics, success rates of the BB technique and manual dissection, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity before and after corneal transplant were analyzed. Ten eyes of 9 patients were included in the analysis. The average age was 64 ± 10 years (range 49-82). The average time between the RK surgery and the corneal transplant was 20 ± 5 years (range 8-24). Indications for corneal transplant were significant irregular astigmatism in 5 eyes (50%), central scarring or haze in 4 eyes (40%), and progressive hyperopia with visual fluctuation in one eye (10%). BB was successfully achieved in one eye (10%). In 6 eyes (60%), manual dissection was performed, and in 3 eyes (30%), DALK surgery was converted to penetrating keratoplasty. The average best spectacle-corrected visual acuity on the last follow-up visit was 0.26 ± 0.08 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/36). One eye that underwent manual DALK and one eye that underwent penetrating keratoplasty developed a rejection episode 4 and 2 months after keratoplasty, respectively. In both cases, rejection resolved with topical steroids. In eyes that underwent prior RK, DALK by manual dissection should be considered as a preferable surgical technique.

Formation of CO2 bubbles in epoxy resin coatings: A DFT study

The epoxy resin coating is a fundamental species with epoxy resins used as main components to form the final film. Unexpectedly, bulky CO2 bubbles that occasionally appeared during the curing process of epoxy resin coatings might destroy the final film properties. With an attempt to thoroughly understand the formation mechanism of CO2 bubbles and further propose countermeasures to control them, Density Function Theory (DFT) in this paper was employed to calculate the absorption process, the curing reaction and the formation mechanism of CO2 bubbles. The gas phase basicity (GB) values and pKa values of common amine curing agents were calculated. The total Gibbs free energies difference of the curing reactions between polluted curing agents and epoxy resins were calculated according to a thermodynamic cycle. Whether in gas phase or resin phase, the energetically negative ΔGsolv indicated that the curing reactions might occur spontaneously and CO2 molecules would be separated and released from amine molecules. The total Gibbs free energy calculations also revealed that the re-absorption of CO2 by the curing system was energetically unfavorable. Thus, the formation mechanism of CO2 bubbles of epoxy resin coatings could be summarize in three steps: (1) Carbon dioxide pollutes accidentally the curing agents. (2) CO2 molecules are gradually released as the curing process occurs. (3) CO2 molecules are collected to form big bubbles which can lead to seriously surface and/or internal defects. Finally, based on practical experiences three tips were proposed to control CO2 bubbles. The present results not only evidenced the nature of the unexpected bubbles of epoxy resin coatings, but also additionally paved to the way to full utilization of the formation mechanism to improve the epoxy coatings’ properties.

Hydrodynamics of Droplet Impingement on a Thin Horizontal Wire

A model of droplet impacting on a thin horizontal wire is developed and numerically analyzed via level set method (LSM). Through varying the impact velocity, the flow regimes of droplet impacting on the wire are examined and analyzed. The detailed hydrodynamic behaviors including transient velocity and pressure distributions as well as the evolution of the gas-liquid interface during droplet impingement are investigated. The results indicate that the hanging mode, merging mode, and splitting mode appear during the droplet impingement on a thin horizontal wire. Inmerging mode, the tiny bubbles converge to big bubbles arising from the inertia difference between the liquid and the gas make. Due to the dynamic equilibrium between the friction of the thin wire and the droplet surface tension, the double reflux zone and the high-pressure zone are only observed in hanging mode rather than in merging mode and splitting mode. The flow regimes diagram depending onWeandBois provided to represent the flow regimes of droplet impacting on a thin horizontal wire. The corresponding exponential correlations are given in form ofWe=aebBoto distinguish the boundaries between these droplet flow regimes.

Creating a bubble…and an understanding of scientific practices

The use of creativity in science practices is many times lost on secondary students. Creativity is seen as something central to the arts and humanities, but tangential at best in the sciences. However, an examination of many great scientific discoveries and the work of everyday contemporary scientists shows the depth and breadth of the use of creativity in the scientific process. Creating a Bubble is an activity that can be used in a secondary classroom to help students understand not only the importance of creativity in science practices, but also the role of communication, the open-endedness of scientific endeavors, and the use of others’ ideas. Students are given a straw, Styrofoam cup, and dish soap and asked to create a big bubble consistently. At first, the techniques that are used produce many small bubbles. Eventually, someone asks how big a big bubble is. Armed with the knowledge that a big bubble is at least 33 cm (13-inches) in diameter, students become very creative in the techniques they try. They learn from each other and eventually are successful in their quest. Frustration and persistence are also key ingredients along their journey.