Shock-wave-induced jetting of micron-size bubbles

Free gas bubbles in water with radii between 7 and 55 mum subjected to a shock wave exhibit a liquid jetting phenomenon with the jet pointing in the direction of the propagating shock wave. With increasing bubble radius, the length of the jet tip increases and a lower estimate of the averaged jet velocity increases linearly from 20 to 150 m/s. At a later stage, the jet breaks up and releases micron-size bubbles. In the course of shock wave permeabilization and transfection of biological cells, this observation suggests a microinjection mechanism when the cells are near bubbles exposed to a shock wave.