Bubbling controlled by needle movement

A device for on-demand production of bubbles is presented. The device is based on a movable needle, through which air is injected. Bubbling is controlled by a rapid needle movement, which induces the bubble detachment. Conditions for proper function of the device include the restriction on the flow rate through the needle, sufficient needle pressure drop and adequate needle acceleration. Functionality of the device is demonstrated. Bubbling from stationary needle is also discussed and a scaling for bubble size is proposed for the case of short needles, to which constant flow rate is imposed through tubes of a finite volume. (c) 2008 The Japan Society of Fluid Mechanics and Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.