Nano Bubble Research Articles

Applications of Ozone Micro- and Nanobubble Technologies in Water and Wastewater Treatment: Review

Water and wastewater treatment has always been a challenging task due to the continuous increase in amount and the change in characteristics of the poorly biodegradable and highly colored organic matters, as well as harmful micro-organisms. Advanced techniques are therefore required to successfully remove these pollutants from water before reuse or discharge to receiving water bodies. Application of ozone, which is a powerful oxidant and disinfectant, alone or as part of advanced oxidation process depends on the complex kinetic reactions and the mass transfer of ozone involved. Micro- and nano bubbling considerably improves gas dissolution compared to conventional bubbles and hence mass transfer. It can also intensify generation of hydroxyl radical due to collapse of the bubbles, which in turn facilitates oxidation reaction under both alkaline as well as acidic conditions. This review gives the overview of application of micro- and nano bubble ozonation for purification of water and wastewater. The drawbacks of previously considered techniques and the application of the hydrodynamic ozonation to synthetic aqueous solutions and various industrial wastewaters are systematically reviewed.

Nanobubble Water's Promotion Effect of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Sprouts Supported by RNA-Seq Analysis.

The physiological promotion effect of nanobubble (NB) water on living organisms is still a poorly understood phenomenon which was discovered 1 decade ago. Here, we analyzed the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) embryo transcriptome following the exposure to NB water and low-concentration hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using RNA-Seq. We found that 349 genes were differentially expressed after 24 h exposure to NB water and 97 genes were differentially expressed after exposure to H2O2 solution. Gene ontology enrichment and cluster analyses revealed that NB water induced expression of genes related to cell division and cell wall loosening. RNA-Seq, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme activity measurements all pointed to gene-encoding peroxidases as a major factor responsible for the effects of physiological enhancement due to NB water. The exogenous hydroxyl radical (•OH) produced by NB water significantly increased the expression of genes related to peroxidase and NADPH, thus leading to an increased endogenous superoxide anion (O2•-) inside the barley seed. Appropriately, low concentrations of exogenously added reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous ROS played important roles in plant growth and development. When ROS levels were low, the endogenous ROS was eliminated by ascorbate peroxidase and other peroxidases instead of activating the catalase and superoxidase dismutase. This data set will serve as the foundation for a system biology approach to understand physiological promotion effects of NB water on living organisms.

Application of a new ceramic hydrophobic membrane for providing CO2 in algal photobioreactor during cultivation of Arthrospira sp.

Biological sequestration of CO2 using microalgal route emerges as a promising option due to its cleaner approach which can be used to produce various forms of bioenergy. The current study reports on development of a new ceramic hydrophobic membrane and its application in an algal photobioreactor towards an efficient dissolution of CO2 during cultivation of Arthrospira sp. Clay-alumina based ceramic capillary support elements were coated with bentonite clay and surface modified using polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) to impart hydrophobicity. The prepared membrane indicated pore size of 5.0nm with around 35.3% porosity and contact angle of 147°. A two-element membrane module having 150mm length, 3.16 outer diameter and 2.16mm inner diameter was used as a nano bubble sparger to provide CO2 in 1L of the culture medium and an enhanced overall mass transfer coefficient of about 38×10−4m/s was obtained using 19.5% CO2 gas mixture and 0.23m/s gas velocity. The membrane was efficient in removal of dissolved oxygen produced during photosynthesis, resulting in higher algal growth and higher CO2 sequestration. Algal growth of about 178.2g(dwt)/m3/day were obtained at 24h interval of CO2 supply in the photobioreactor and subsequent CO2 sequestration obtained was 13.99g/m3/h. Under optimized growth conditions the produced biomass yielded biodiesel content of about 5.82% of dry weight of algae. Application of the ceramic hydrophobic membrane thus enables enhanced mass transfer coefficient and dissolved oxygen removal efficiency making it suitable in photobioreactor application towards algal bio-sequestration of CO2 and subsequent biomass and biofuel production.

Molecular dynamics simulations study of nano bubble attachment at hydrophobic surfaces

Molecular dynamics simulations study of nano bubble attachment at hydrophobic surfaces

Control of Accumulation of Cu(I) in Copper Sulfate Electroplating Plating Solution

Formation and accumulation of Cu(I) in copper sulfate electroplating solutions were discussed. By electrolysis, the accumulation of Cu(I) in the plating solutions was also confirmed in the laboratory. Accumulation rate and amount will depends on the current density and electrolysis time and the dissolved gases. Cu(I) is held in an aqueous solution as a complex with PEG, and gradually it is consumed by oxidation or disproportionation reaction. In the plating solutions using a nano bubble water, formation and accumulation rate of Cu(I) was different by gas species dissolved. Our results indicate the possibility for control of Cu(I) in the plating solutions.

PUB074 Intake of Cold High Dissolved Oxygen Mineral Water as Cancer Cure

Section not applicable. Many known cancer treatment methods rely on oxygen and/or ozone cancer treatment by gas and by liquid have demonstrated varying degree of successes. A new innovative approach is being applied relying on nano bubble water with high oxygenated level up to 15 to 20 ppm. Normal dissolved oxygen in water seldom exceed 10 ppm. Dissolved oxygen exceeding 10 ppm is in the form activated oxygen (inside nano bubbles) which has ORP value of +2.5V. Nano bubbles can penetrate all types of human membrane and provide oxygen into cancer cells which will cause cell death while healthy cells will prosper. These nano bubble will contain beneficial levels of dissolved nano nitric oxide which will enlarge bood vessels serrounding the cancer cell clusters which speed up the cure. In combination with fasting (no food intake except water) for 14 days, the human body will conduct self detoxification processes and expell toxins out through urine and excretion. Excretion will stop after 2 to 3 days of fasting. These samples analysis yielded various environmental, growth hormones, pesticides and antibiotics residues. Treatment of terminal lung cancer patients with lung cancers showed either shrinkage or even disappearance. Several representitive lung cancer cure cases will be presented with varied degree of successes. Drastic cancer cures means shorter hospital stays. However, bad living habits like eating fatty food, alhohols, smoking patients may need regular maintenance of drinking high oxygenated water.

Identification of ROS Produced by Nanobubbles and Their Positive and Negative Effects on Vegetable Seed Germination.

Exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by nanobubble (NB) water offer a reasonable explanation for NBs' physiological promotion and oxidation effects. To develop and exploit the NB technology, we have performed further research to identify the specific ROS produced by NBs. Using a fluorescent reagent APF, a Fenton reaction, a dismutation reaction of superoxide dismutase and DMSO, we distinguished four types of ROS (superoxide anion radical (O2·-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (·OH), and singlet oxygen (1O2)). ·OH was confirmed to be the specific ROS produced by NB water. The role of ·OH produced by NB water in physiological processes depends on its concentration. The amount of exogenous ·OH has a positive correlation with the NB number density in the water. Here, spinach and carrot seed germination tests were repeatedly performed with three seed groups submerged in distilled water, high-number density NB water, and low-number density NB water under similar dissolved oxygen concentrations. The final germination rates of spinach seeds in distilled water, low-number density NB water, and high-number density NB water were 54%, 65%, and 69%, respectively. NBs can also promote sprout growth. The sprout lengths of spinach seeds dipped in NB water were longer than those in the distilled water. For carrot seeds, the amount of exogenous ·OH in high-number density NB water was beyond their toxic threshold, and negative effects were shown on hypocotyl elongation and chlorophyll formation. The presented results allow us to obtain a deeper understanding of the physiological promotion effects of NBs.

Optimization of cavitation venturi tube design for pico and nano bubbles generation

Hydrodynamic cavitaion venturi tube technique is used for pico and nano bubble generations in coal column flotation. In order to determine the optimal design of hydrodynamic cavitation venture tube for pico and nano bubble generation, a four-factor three-level Central Composite Design of Experimental was conducted for investigating four important design parameters of cavitation venturi tube governing the median size and the volume of pico and nano bubbles. The test results showed that maximum volume of pico and nano bubbles, 65–75%, and minimum mean pico and nano bubble size, 150–240nm, were achieved at the medium ratio of the diameter of outlet of the venturi-tube and diameter of throat (3–4), medium outlet angle (11–13°), high inlet angle (26–27°) and high ratio of the length of the throat and the diameter of throat (2.3–3). Study the effects of the producing pico and nano bubbles on fine coal flotation was performed in a 5cm diameter 260cm height flotation column. The optimal percentage of pico and nano bubbles was about 70%, which produced maximum combustible material recovery of 86% with clean coal ash content of 11.7%.

Use of sucrose in the synthesis of cathodes used in fuel cells

Perovskite powders with composition La1-xSrxMnO3 (x=0.1) were obtained via combustion synthesis using sucrose as fuel. In the X-ray diffraction patterns it was observed that in order to obtain a single phase material calcination in 750oC for 3 hours was necessary. BET analysis detected a specific surface area of 45 m²/g, which means an increase when compared with other fuels. SEM micrographs revealed a very spongy aspect with great porosity in the agglomerates and TEM micrographs showed micro and nano bubble shaped particles in the as-obtained manganite. The powder compacted and sintered at 125 MPa and 1050oC for 2 hours, respectively, presented a 31% open porosity and the SEM micrographs showed a fine interconnected porosity.

Comparative Analysis of Efficacy of Ozone Nano Bubble Water (NBW3) with Established Antimicrobials. Bactericidal Efficacy and Cellular Response. An in Vitro Study

Comparative Analysis of Efficacy of Ozone Nano Bubble Water (NBW3) with Established Antimicrobials. Bactericidal Efficacy and Cellular Response. An in Vitro Study

Elastic modulus and surface tension of a polyurethane rubber in nanometer thick films

Estane is a polyurethane with thermodynamically incompatible hard and soft segments and behaves like a thermoplastic elastomer. In the present work the mechanical properties of Estane at the nano- and macro-scales have been characterized. The macroscopic viscoelastic properties were found to follow time–temperature superposition. Also we used a nano bubble inflation method to obtain the compliance of the Estane ultra thin films over thicknesses ranging from 220 nm to 22 nm. The results have been analyzed using both a direct stress-strain analysis and an energy balance method to separate the rubbery plateau regime modulus and the surface tension of the ultra thin films. It is found that the rubbery regime modulus stiffens significantly as thickness decreases, while the surface tension is independent of film thickness. The rubbery stiffening dependence on film thickness is found to be consistent with a new analysis that suggests that it is related to the shape of the macroscopic segmental relaxation.

Ultrasound Targeted Apoptosis Imaging in Monitoring Early Tumor Response of Trastuzumab in a Murine Tumor Xenograft Model of Her-2–Positive Breast Cancer1

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to monitor the trastuzumab therapy response of murine tumor xenograft model with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2)–positive breast cancer using ultrasound targeted apoptosis imaging. METHODS: We prepared targeted apoptosis ultrasound probes by nanobubble (NB) binding with Annexin V. In vitro, we investigated the binding rate of NB–Annexin V with breast cancer apoptotic cells after the trastuzumab treatment. In vivo, tumor-bearing mice underwent ultrasound targeted imaging over 7 days. After imaging was completed, the tumors were excised to determine Her-2 and caspase-3 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The correlation between parameters of imaging and histologic results was then analyzed. RESULTS: For seeking the ability of targeted NB binding with apoptotic tumor cells (Her-2 positive), we found that binding rate in the treatment group was higher than that of the control group in vitro (P = .001). There were no differences of tumor sizes in all groups over the treatment process in vivo (P = .98). However, when using ultrasound imaging to visualize tumors by targeted NB in vivo, we observed that the mean and peak intensities from NBs gradually increased in the treatment group after trastuzumab therapy (P = .001). Furthermore, these two parameters were significantly associated with caspase-3 expression of tumor excised samples (P = .0001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound targeted apoptosis imaging can be a non-invasive technique to evaluate the early breast tumor response to trastuzumab therapy.

Preparation of Protamine Cationic Nanobubbles and Experimental Study of Their Physical Properties and In Vivo Contrast Enhancement

In this study, we aimed to prepare a novel type of microbubble (MB), protamine cationic nanobubble (NB), to provide a new vector for tumor gene therapy. We prepared cationic NBs with protamine and other lipid components using mechanical oscillation. The protamine cationic NBs had a mean diameter of 521.2±37.57nm, a zeta potential of+18.5mV, and a gene-carrying capacity of 15.69μg androgen receptor (AR) siRNA per 10(8) NBs. The cationic NBs exhibited superior contrast enhancement for invivo imaging compared with SonoVue (Bracco, Geneva, Switzerland), and their physical properties did not change significantly after 1wk; meanwhile, the transfection efficiency of the cationic NBs in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells mediated by ultrasound irradiation was better than that of liposomes (82.17±7.4% vs. 55.04±5.4%, p<0.01). Therefore, the protamine cationic NB can be considered for use as a novel type of gene-loading MB for ultrasound imaging and MB-mediated gene therapy of tumors.

Ultrasound-sensitive siRNA-loaded nanobubbles formed by hetero-assembly of polymeric micelles and liposomes and their therapeutic effect in gliomas

Ultrasound (US)-sensitive nanobubble (NB) which may utilize the physical power of US exposure to improve delivery efficiency to target cells is emerging as one of the most promising nanocarriers for drug delivery. On the basis of successfully fabricating NBs with the ability of passively accumulating in tumor tissue, in this study we synthesized a US-sensitive NB bearing siRNA (siRNA-NB) for tumor therapy via a hetero-assembling strategy using the siRNA-complexed polymeric micelles and gas-cored liposomes. The US exposure-aided siRNA transfection effectively enhanced the gene silencing effect of siRNA-NBs both in vitro and in vivo, which resulted in much elevated level of cancer cell apoptosis. Consequently, significantly improved therapeutic effect was achieved in a nude mouse glioma model, using siRNA-NBs bearing siRNA to target the anti-apoptosis gene sirtuin 2 (SIRT2). These results show that, with the aid of US exposure, the US-sensitive siRNA-NB may be an ideal delivery vector to mediate highly effective RNA interference for tumor treatment.

超微細気泡混入軽油によるディーゼル機関の環境負荷低減

超微細気泡混入軽油によるディーゼル機関の環境負荷低減

Intercalation of PF 6− anion into graphitic carbon with nano pore for dual carbon cell with high capacity

Intercalation property of PF 6 − into graphitic carbon was studied for a hybrid capacitor with different ratio of cathode and anode amount. Graphene sheet distance increased with increasing PF 6 − intercalation amount and it saturated at 0.4 nm at high applied potential, which is corresponded to stage 2 structure. On the other hand, it was found that nano size pore into graphene sheet was introduced at higher applied potential with 20 times larger anode carbon and this nano porous carbon shows a large capacity for intercalation capacity of 147 mAh g −1. The estimated energy density of the hybrid capacitor using carbon with nano bubble structure was ca. 400 Wh kg −1.

Nano bubbles in liquid of a noble-gas mixture

Large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with over one million atoms are used to investigate nano bubbles in Ar-Ne liquid. The simulations demonstrate cavitations in the stretched liquid, and bubble creation and collapse. We find that a small cavity created in the stretched liquid spontaneously transforms into a nano bubble with the homogeneous vapor region. The equilibrium spherical bubble of 11.4 nm in radius is obtained after the long-time MD run. The surface tension of the nano bubble is found to be larger than that of the flat surface.

Synthesizing and binding dual-mode poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobubbles for cancer targeting and imaging

Accurate assessment of tumor boundaries and recognition of occult disease are important oncologic principles in cancer surgeries. However, existing imaging modalities are not optimized for intraoperative cancer imaging applications. We developed a nanobubble (NB) contrast agent for cancer targeting and dual-mode imaging using optical and ultrasound (US) modalities. The contrast agent was fabricated by encapsulating the Texas Red dye in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NBs and conjugating NBs with cancer-targeting ligands. Both one-step and three-step cancer-targeting strategies were tested on the LS174T human colon cancer cell line. For the one-step process, NBs were conjugated with the humanized HuCC49ΔC H2 antibody to target the over-expressed TAG-72 antigen. For the three-step process, cancer cells were targeted by successive application of the biotinylated HuCC49ΔC H2 antibody, streptavidin, and the biotinylated NBs. Both one-step and three-step processes successfully targeted the cancer cells with high binding affinity. NB-assisted dual-mode imaging was demonstrated on a gelatin phantom that embedded multiple tumor simulators at different NB concentrations. Simultaneous fluorescence and US images were acquired for these tumor simulators and linear correlations were observed between the fluorescence/US intensities and the NB concentrations. Our research demonstrated the technical feasibility of using the dual-mode NB contrast agent for cancer targeting and simultaneous fluorescence/US imaging.

Nano bubble—Size dependence of surface tension and inside pressure

The Young–Laplace (Y–L) equation describes the difference between inside pressure and outside pressure of a spherical bubble due to surface tension. The Y–L equation is simply deduced from mechanical stability of a bubble, but it is still controversial whether the Y–L equation can be used for tiny bubbles, such as a “nano bubble”, because the pressure difference divergently increases as the bubble radius R decreases. We investigated a spherical vapor bubble in Lennard-Jones liquid with molecular dynamics simulation, mainly looking into its mechanical stabilities. We generated a tiny bubble of various sizes ( R ≃ 1.7 – 5 nm in argon unit) under equilibrium conditions by changing the simulation cell size and the number of molecules. The liquid pressure was evaluated with the virial expression, which was negative in general and was found to be strongly dependent on R. The vapor pressure was estimated from the vapor density via an empirical equation of state. The vapor pressure was found to be independent of R and very close to the vapor pressure at bulk liquid–vapor equilibrium. Then we assumed the Y–L equation to calculate the surface tension of the bubble, which turned out to be also independent of R. Thus we confirm that the Y–L equation is valid even for nano-scale bubbles.