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Galloping Bubbles

Author

Listed:
  • Jian H. Guan

    (University of North Carolina)

  • Saiful I. Tamim

    (University of North Carolina)

  • Connor W. Magoon

    (University of North Carolina)

  • Howard A. Stone

    (Princeton University)

  • Pedro J. Sáenz

    (University of North Carolina)

Abstract

Despite centuries of investigation, bubbles continue to unveil intriguing dynamics relevant to a multitude of practical applications, including industrial, biological, geophysical, and medical settings. Here we introduce bubbles that spontaneously start to ‘gallop’ along horizontal surfaces inside a vertically-vibrated fluid chamber, self-propelled by a resonant interaction between their shape oscillation modes. These active bubbles exhibit distinct trajectory regimes, including rectilinear, orbital, and run-and-tumble motions, which can be tuned dynamically via the external forcing. Through periodic body deformations, galloping bubbles swim leveraging inertial forces rather than vortex shedding, enabling them to maneuver even when viscous traction is not viable. The galloping symmetry breaking provides a robust self-propulsion mechanism, arising in bubbles whether separated from the wall by a liquid film or directly attached to it, and is captured by a minimal oscillator model, highlighting its universality. Through proof-of-concept demonstrations, we showcase the technological potential of the galloping locomotion for applications involving bubble generation and removal, transport and sorting, navigating complex fluid networks, and surface cleaning. The rich dynamics of galloping bubbles suggest exciting opportunities in heat transfer, microfluidic transport, probing and cleaning, bubble-based computing, soft robotics, and active matter.

Suggested Citation

  • Jian H. Guan & Saiful I. Tamim & Connor W. Magoon & Howard A. Stone & Pedro J. Sáenz, 2025. "Galloping Bubbles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56611-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56611-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Philippe Marmottant & Sascha Hilgenfeldt, 2003. "Controlled vesicle deformation and lysis by single oscillating bubbles," Nature, Nature, vol. 423(6936), pages 153-156, May.
    2. Benjamin Apffel & Filip Novkoski & Antonin Eddi & Emmanuel Fort, 2020. "Author Correction: Floating under a levitating liquid," Nature, Nature, vol. 586(7828), pages 12-12, October.
    3. Jesús Sánchez-Rodríguez & Christophe Raufaste & Médéric Argentina, 2023. "Scaling the tail beat frequency and swimming speed in underwater undulatory swimming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Benjamin Apffel & Filip Novkoski & Antonin Eddi & Emmanuel Fort, 2020. "Floating under a levitating liquid," Nature, Nature, vol. 585(7823), pages 48-52, September.
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