Acoustic Cavitation
Acoustic cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs when sound waves create rapid changes in pressure within a liquid. This process leads to the formation of tiny gas bubbles, which can grow and collapse violently. The collapse of these bubbles generates shock waves and high temperatures, resulting in localized energy release.
This effect is commonly utilized in various applications, including ultrasonic cleaning and medical therapies. In ultrasonic cleaning, the bubbles help remove dirt and contaminants from surfaces. In medicine, acoustic cavitation is explored for targeted drug delivery and tissue disruption in procedures like lithotripsy, which breaks down kidney stones.