Astrid Olsson
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Jens-Christian Meiners
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Biophysics / Physics / LSA
Program:
Authors: Astrid Olsson, Roman Alvarado, Jens-Christian Meiners
Session: Session 6: 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm
Poster: 20
Abstract
The identification and characterization of bubble nucleation sites remains a crucial yet elusive aspect in understanding the mechanisms underlying bubble formation during decompression, specifically as it occurs in spinal tissue. Bubbles form from bubble nucleation sites, which are essentially tiny pockets of air, invisible to the human eye, that bubbles initiate from, however much of the details on this process are unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, this research aimed to learn more about nucleation sites through exploring strategies for their removal in agarose gel. Specifically, the focus lies on understanding how manipulation of compression and decompression processes at different time intervals and temperatures can influence the prevalence of nucleation sites within gels. Through a systematic investigation, we aim to pinpoint the conditions that induce the most substantial reduction in bubble formation. This study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of bubble nucleation but also holds the potential to inform strategies for mitigating undesired bubble-related phenomena within the human spinal cord, hopefully leading to a reduced effect on the human body.
