Study of dynamical properties of foams

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H01874
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 13040:Biophysics, chemical physics and soft matter physics-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan University
• Principal Investigator: Kurita Rei 東京都立大学, 理学研究科, 教授 (20579908)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ソフトマター / 泡沫 / 非平衡 / 動的性質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We observed how the internal structure of foams changes when a small amount of water is added to them (structural relaxation) and found that the way the structure relaxes varies greatly depending on the variation in bubble size. This relaxation process is deeply related to the mechanical properties of foams. It is expected to be applied not only to everyday applications such as the spreading of foams in shaving cream and the texture of meringues, but also to a wide range of disaster-related fields such as the jetting of fire extinguishing agents. In addition, this relaxation process is also closely related to the field of glass, known as jamming. The results of this research are an important findings that will not only broaden the application of foams, but also lead to the development of research in the field of glass.

Free Research Field

ソフトマター

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

泡沫は、食料品や化粧品、洗剤、断熱材といった日常的によく見かけることができる状態です。また、泡沫は断熱性といった気体の性質と拡散という液体的な性質，構造を支える固体的な性質をあわせ持ち、産業的にも重要です。本研究成果により、泡沫の力学特性に対する理解が産業への応用につながる期待できるものと考えています。また，泡沫だけでなくガラス分野にとっても重要な成果が得られ，ガラス分野の研究発展にもつながることが期待されます。