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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:19
Induction of Microstreaming by Nonspherical Bubble Oscillations in an Acoustic Levitation System
Published on: May 9, 2021
Nonlinear bubble resonance: Geometric mechanisms and onset scaling
Shilin Yu1, Wenbao Zheng1, Chao Zeng2
1Southeast University, School of Civil Engineering, Nanjing 211189, Jiangsu, China.
Physical Review. E
|July 24, 2026
Summary
We developed a nonlinear pore-scale model for trapped bubbles, revealing nonlinear dynamics in geologic media. This model quantifies bubble behavior as an asymmetric Duffing-type oscillator, crucial for understanding fluid flow.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Porous Media Physics
Background:
- Oscillatory dynamics of trapped nonwetting fluids in pore constrictions are key to multiphase flow and fluid mobility in geologic formations.
- While linear responses at small amplitudes are understood, the mechanisms behind nonlinear behavior at finite amplitudes remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a nonlinear pore-scale model for harmonically excited trapped bubbles.
- To elucidate the mechanisms driving nonlinear behavior in trapped bubbles within constricted porous media.
Main Methods:
- Development of a nonlinear pore-scale model for trapped bubbles.
- Validation of the model using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.
- Asymptotic expansion of capillary pressure to analyze nonlinear contributions.
Main Results:
- Nonlinearity arises from spatial variations in pore curvature, leading to a softening and asymmetric capillary restoring force.
- Trapped bubbles exhibit nonlinear effects like resonance-frequency downshift and oscillation-center drift, behaving as asymmetric Duffing-type oscillators.
- Introduction of a dimensionless nonlinearity number (Nnc) to quantify the balance between geometric amplification and viscous dissipation.
Conclusions:
- The onset of nonlinear response is determined by a critical Nnc value near 7.3.
- This criterion offers a quantitative basis for identifying nonlinear interfacial mobilization under transient forcing in constricted porous media.
- Understanding these nonlinear dynamics is essential for accurate modeling of fluid flow and mobility in complex geologic systems.
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