sonikatsiooni

Sonication is a process that uses sound waves, typically in the ultrasonic frequency range, to agitate a medium. This agitation is achieved through cavitation, a phenomenon where sound waves create microscopic bubbles in the liquid. These bubbles rapidly grow and collapse, generating localized high-energy events. These events, such as shock waves and microjets, can disrupt cellular structures, promote chemical reactions, and enhance mass transfer.

In biology and medicine, sonication is employed for cell lysis, which is the breaking open of cells to extract their contents. It is also used to enhance drug delivery by temporarily increasing the permeability of cell membranes. In chemistry, sonication can accelerate reaction rates, improve solubility of poorly soluble substances, and facilitate the synthesis of nanoparticles. The industrial applications of sonication include cleaning, mixing, emulsification, and sterilization.

The effectiveness of sonication depends on several parameters, including frequency, intensity, duration, and the medium being treated. While beneficial in many applications, excessive sonication can lead to unwanted degradation of sensitive molecules or excessive heating of the sample. Careful control of sonication parameters is therefore crucial for achieving desired outcomes.