Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Synthesis of Biocompatible Liquid Crystal Elastomer Foams as Cell Scaffolds for 3D Spatial Cell Cultures
Published on: April 11, 2017
Sclerosant foam structure and stability is strongly influenced by liquid air fraction
E Cameron1, T Chen, D E Connor
1School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Objectives:
To determine the effects of sclerosant foam preparation and composition on foam structure, the time course of liquid drainage, and foam coarsening.
Methods:
Sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) and polidocanol (POL) foams were investigated in a range of concentrations (0.5-3%) and liquid-plus-air fractions (LAF; 1 + 2 to 1 + 8). Foam was injected into a vein simulation model (polyvinyl chloride tubing, inner diameter 3 mm, constant pressure 5-7 mmHg) filled with saline or blood. Liquid drainage, bubble count, and diameter were measured and documented by serial photography.
Results:
Liquid drainage was faster in the vertical position than the horizontal one. In all variations, very small bubbles (diameter <30 μm) were generated initially that coarsened to form micro-foams (<250 μm). By 3 minutes mini-foams (>250 μm) and by 7.5 minutes macro-foams (>500 μm) were formed. Following injection, the upper regions of foam coarsened faster as liquid drained to the bottom of the vessel. Wet preparations produced significantly smaller bubbles. Low concentration POL foam produced significantly higher bubble counts and coarsened slower than STS.
Conclusions:
Foam structure is strongly influenced by the LAF. Despite the initial formation of micro-bubbles in the syringe, mini- and macro-bubbles are formed in target vessels with time post-injection.
More Related Videos
10:06Microfluidic Fabrication Techniques for High-Pressure Testing of Microscale Supercritical CO2 Foam Transport in Fractured Unconventional Reservoirs
Published on: July 2, 2020
07:56Preparation of Carbon Fiber and Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Poly (butylene Adipate-co-terephthalate) Foams by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Foaming
Published on: October 10, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
Air-entraining Agents
Surface Tension of Fluid
Surface tension varies with...
The Colloidal State
Effects of Air-entrainment in Concrete
Bioreactor Controls-II