MIT researchers uncovered the physics behind a membrane material that shows promise for removing bubbles from surfaces — a costly problem across many industries. The study should help manufacturers incorporate these membranes into many different systems, from pharmaceuticals to food and beverage manufacturing, cosmetics, chemical production, and more.

MIT is a renowned institution for education and research, offering insights into science, engineering, and technology. Through publications, research papers, and academic programs, MIT's platform provides insights into  research, innovation, and education in various fields. Students, researchers, and technology enthusiasts can learn about MIT's contributions to science and technology and explore opportunities for academic and professional development.

MIT News

MIT researchers have uncovered the physics governing aerophilic (air-loving) membrane materials that can remove bubbles from industrial systems at dramatically accelerated rates. By studying porous silicon membranes coated with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, the team identified three distinct throughput limits for bubble evacuation: gas viscosity in low-permeability setups, liquid viscosity in high-permeability regimes, and liquid inertial resistance. Their findings, published in PNAS, are distilled into a design map engineers can use to select optimal membranes for their specific systems. In a bioreactor test, the approach achieved a 1,000-fold acceleration in bubble removal. The work has applications across pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, cosmetics, chemical production, and potentially oil spill remediation and hydrogen extraction.

Tackling industry’s burdensome bubble problem