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Related Concept Videos

Viscosity01:17

Viscosity

When water is poured into a glass, it falls freely and quickly, whereas if honey or maple syrup is poured over a pancake, it flows slowly and sticks to the surface of the container. This difference in the flow of different kinds of liquids arises due to the fluid friction between the liquid layers and the liquid and the surrounding material. This property of fluids is called fluid viscosity. In this example, water has a lower viscosity than honey and maple syrup.
The SI unit of viscosity is...
Viscosity01:27

Viscosity

Viscosity is a property of fluids that measures their resistance to flow. It is influenced by factors such as the surface area of contact, the gradient of flow speed, and the fluid's viscosity constant, called the coefficient of viscosity. The coefficient of viscosity, also known as dynamic viscosity, is denoted by the symbol η. It determines the proportionality between the viscous force and the gradient of flow speed.Newton's law of viscosity states that the viscous force on a faster-moving...
Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity02:57

Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity

Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
Viscosity of Fluid01:19

Viscosity of Fluid

Viscosity measures the resistance a fluid offers to flow and deformation. It results from internal friction between layers of fluid moving relative to one another. Dynamic viscosity, denoted by the Greek letter mu (μ), quantifies the force needed to move one fluid layer over another. For Newtonian fluids like water and air, the relationship between the shearing stress and the rate of shearing strain is linear, meaning their viscosity remains constant regardless of the applied stress.
Characteristics of Fluids01:20

Characteristics of Fluids

When a force is applied parallel to the top surface of a solid, it resists the applied force due to the internal frictional forces between the layers of the solid known as shearing resistance. However, when the force is removed, the shearing forces restore the original shape of the solid. Other deformation forces also cause temporary changes in shape if the forces are not beyond a threshold magnitude. Solids tend to retain their shape, making the study of their rest and motion easier. Beyond...
Characteristics of Fluids01:31

Characteristics of Fluids

Fluids differ from solids primarily in their molecular structure and stress response. Solids have tightly packed molecules with strong intermolecular forces, maintaining their shape and resisting deformation. In contrast, fluids have molecules spaced farther apart with weaker forces, allowing them to flow and deform easily.
Fluids, which include both liquids and gases, are substances that deform continuously under shearing stress. For example, water and oil are liquids with molecules that can...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Manufacture of Concentrated, Lipid-based Oxygen Microbubble Emulsions by High Shear Homogenization and Serial Concentration
13:17

Manufacture of Concentrated, Lipid-based Oxygen Microbubble Emulsions by High Shear Homogenization and Serial Concentration

Published on: May 26, 2014

Liquid films on shake flask walls explain increasing maximum oxygen transfer capacities with elevating viscosity.

Heiner Giese1, Amizon Azizan, Anne Kümmel

  • 1AVT.Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, Aachen, 52074, Germany.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|August 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Oxygen transfer in shake flasks improves with increasing viscosity up to 10 mPa·s, unlike in stirred tanks. Shake flasks offer a self-regulating oxygen supply, crucial for biotechnological processes.

Keywords:
Fick's diffusion lawHigbie's film theoryliquid filmmaximum oxygen transfer capacity OTRmaxoxygen transfershake flask

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemical Engineering
  • Microbial Cultivation

Background:

  • Oxygen supply is critical for biotechnological screening and production.
  • Gas/liquid oxygen transfer in viscous shake flask cultures is poorly understood, especially in the liquid film on flask walls.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate oxygen transfer in shake flasks with increasing viscosity.
  • To evaluate the applicability of Higbie's film theory for viscous shake flask cultures.
  • To compare oxygen transfer in shake flasks versus stirred tanks at elevated viscosities.

Main Methods:

  • Chemical and microbial model experiments were conducted to measure oxygen transfer.
  • Numerical simulations of Fick's law of diffusion were used.
  • Oxygen transfer capacity (OTRmax) was measured at varying viscosities.

Main Results:

  • Higbie's film theory was found unsuitable for viscosities up to 10 mPa·s.
  • Maximum oxygen transfer capacity (OTRmax) increased in shake flasks with viscosity from 1 to 10 mPa·s.
  • OTRmax in shake flasks remained high even at 80 mPa·s, unlike in stirred tanks where it dropped significantly.

Conclusions:

  • Shake flasks provide a self-regulating oxygen supply system at moderate to elevated viscosities.
  • Liquid film formation on shake flask walls enhances oxygen supply.
  • These findings have significant implications for scaling up biotechnological processes.