Sonic cavitation occurs when ultrasound waves passing through a liquid cause the formation of bubbles, a phenomenon known as cavitation. Because a sound wave periodically compreses and decompresses a liquid, cavitation can be produced in the low pressure part of the cycle when the sound intensity is high enough.

Examples of sonic cavitation include the sonicating water baths used to clean instruments and jewelry, as well as the laboratory technique sonication, used to emulsify mixtures or lyse cells.

Cold fusion controversy

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There are claims that sonic cavitation on a small but intense scale causes a form of cold fusion. Although the phenomenon has been known for some time, important details are still the subject of research. In particular, the production of light by the collapse of the bubble in the high pressure part of the cycle (sonoluminescence) which happens in some liquids,is poorly understood. The production of light implies that the energy involved is very high, hence the hope that it can be high enough to produce cold fusion under suitable conditions. Claims of fusion being observed, however, are still controversial.

See also

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• Bubble fusion

External Links

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Acoustics | Ultrasound