Some liquids may contain antibubbles. An antibubble consists of a liquid core droplet surrounded by a gas bubble. Electrically charged layers on the droplet and the bubble prevent the core droplet from touching the outer bubbles surface. Antibubbles have been observed in various milk products, in fizzy drinks, and in diagnostic contrast agents. Owing to the presence of the droplet inside, an antibubble is uniquely detectible in an ultrasound field. Microscopic antibubbles are well suited as tracers of blood flow in ultrasound echography, making use of so-called harmonic imaging. But antibubbles may also be used to carry a therapeutic load inside the droplet core. When inserted in the blood stream, such antibubbles act as harmless particles until the therapeutic load is released by means of a strong ultrasound signal, focussed on the region of interest. This project searches for acoustic regimes to release drugs from antibubbles, with the aid of high-speed photography and ultrasound.

2021

2025