Abstract:
The ubiquitous cavitation bubble always seems to be around whenever one propagates an acoustic field of moderate amplitude through a liquid. The implosive collapse is a marvelously efficient concentrator of acoustic energy and can result in exotic mechanical and chemical effects. Examples of some of the many ways this acoustic energy can be utilized to accomplish a desirable effect are (a) the generation of a broadband underwater acoustic source, (b) the communication of renal and bilary calculi, (c) the cleaning of contaminated surfaces, (d) the remediation of waste contaminants, (e) the in vivo destruction of carcinomas, (f) the production of exotic materials, etc. A description of a variety of these effects will be presented. [Work supported in part by the NIH and the NSF.]