Liposome destruction by a collapsing cavitation microbubble: A numerical study

Hydrodynamic cavitation poses as a promising new method for wastewater treatment as it has been shown to be able to eradicate bacteria, inactivate viruses, and destroy other biological structures, such as liposomes. Although engineers are already commercializing devices that employ cavitation, we are still not able to answer the fundamental question: What exactly are the damaging mechanisms of hydrodynamic cavitation in various applications? In this light, the present paper numerically addresses the interaction between a single cavitation microbubble and a nearby lipid vesicle of a similar size. A coupled fluid-structure interaction model is employed, from which three critical modes of vesicle deformation are identified and temporally placed in relation to their corresponding driving mechanisms: (a) unilateral stretching at the waist of the liposome during the first bubble collapse and subsequent shock wave propagation, (b) local wrinkling at the tip until the bubble rebounds, and (c) bilateral stretching at the tip of the liposome during the phase of a second bubble contraction. Here, unilateral and bilateral stretching refer to the local in-plane extension of the bilayer in one and both principal directions, respectively. Results are discussed with respect to critical dimensionless distance for vesicle poration and rupture. Liposomes with initially equilibrated envelopes are not expected to be structurally compromised in cases with delta > 1.0, when a nearby collapsing bubble is not in their direct contact. However, the critical dimensionless distance for the case of an envelope with pre-existing pores is identified at delta = 1.9. Additionally, the influence of liposome-bubble size ratio is addressed, from which a higher potential of larger bubbles for causing stretchinginduced liposome destruction can be identified.

Automated summary

Hydrodynamic cavitation is a promising method for wastewater treatment due to its ability to eradicate bacteria, inactivate viruses, and destroy biological structures like liposomes. However, the exact damaging mechanisms of hydrodynamic cavitation in different applications remain unknown. This study numerically investigates the interaction between a single cavitation microbubble and a nearby lipid vesicle, identifying three critical modes of vesicle deformation and discussing the critical dimensionless distance for vesicle poration and rupture.