How Bringing Structure To Chaotic Bubbles Could... May 2026

: Modern mining relies heavily on bubble-based separation techniques, which consume massive amounts of energy and water. Structuring these flows allows for more precise separation, potentially reducing the industry's overall environmental footprint.

Researchers at Columbia Engineering have discovered a method to transform the normally disorganized movement of bubbles into a structured, controllable flow. By applying specific vibrations to particles as air is blown through them, the researchers found that bubbles spontaneously organize themselves into regular, triangular arrays. How bringing structure to chaotic bubbles could...

This transition from chaos to order is achieved because the vibrations cause the surrounding materials to shift rapidly between solid-like and fluid-like states, effectively "guiding" the bubbles into a predictable structure. Potential Impacts on Sustainability : Modern mining relies heavily on bubble-based separation

How Bringing Structure to Chaotic Bubbles Could Make Industry More Sustainable By applying specific vibrations to particles as air