A device inspired by the mantis shrimp’s strike to produce cavitation bubbles on solid surfaces

Abstract

Abstract We discuss a low-cost mechanical device designed to generate cavitation bubbles through the impact of rigid surfaces. The process is triggered by a pivoting limb, which develops speeds as high as 180 rad/s (9 m/s) while submerged in water. A mathematical model is proposed to describe the limb’s dynamics whose results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The model shows that more than 65 % of the elastic-potential energy to power the limb is dissipated by drag/friction effects. This key aspect must be considered when developing efficient devices for applications such as lithotripsy.