TED@Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Li Wei Tan: The fascinating science of bubbles, from soap to champagne
Li Wei Tan: 令人着迷的气泡科学：从肥皂到香槟
Filmed:
Readability: 4.1
518,279 views
在这个异想天开的演讲和现场演示中，科学家Li Wei Tan分享了气泡的秘密——从它们对几何完美的不懈追求到在医学和航运中的应用，设计师通过模仿企鹅在游泳时产生的气泡来制造更高效的船舶系统。 一起来了解这些数学奇迹背后的更多信息，并挖掘隐藏在日常生活中的魔力吧。
Li Wei Tan - Formulation scientist
As a formulation scientist, Li Wei Tan is constantly finding ways to understand why something works and why it doesn't. Full bio
As a formulation scientist, Li Wei Tan is constantly finding ways to understand why something works and why it doesn't. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
Some years ago, I was visiting Paris
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很多年前我游访巴黎时，
曾在一个美好的夏日午后
漫步在塞纳河边。
漫步在塞纳河边。
00:15
and walking along the Seine River
during a beautiful summer afternoon.
during a beautiful summer afternoon.
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我看到一些巨大的泡泡漂浮在河岸，
00:19
I saw giant bubbles
floating on the riverbank,
floating on the riverbank,
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像这个一样。
00:23
like this one.
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00:24
The next moment, it popped and was gone.
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随后，它突然破裂然后消失。
这是被一群人围住的
两个街头艺人制造出的泡泡，
两个街头艺人制造出的泡泡，
00:28
Making them were two street performers
surrounded by a crowd.
surrounded by a crowd.
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显然他们营生的手段
是靠卖艺获得捐款，
是靠卖艺获得捐款，
00:32
They visibly make a living
by asking for donations
by asking for donations
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和售卖一对被两根绳子拴在一起的棍子。
00:36
and by selling pairs of sticks
tied with two strings.
tied with two strings.
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当时，正好一个男人
花了10欧元买了一对棍子，
花了10欧元买了一对棍子，
00:40
When I was there, a man bought
a pair of sticks for 10 euros,
a pair of sticks for 10 euros,
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这让我感到十分吃惊。
00:45
which surprised me.
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我是一个痴迷于气泡的科学家，
00:47
I am a scientist who is
passionate about bubbles.
passionate about bubbles.
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我知道这些大泡泡背后的把戏，
00:51
I know the right trick
to make the giant bubbles
to make the giant bubbles
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不过是配比合适的
肥皂水的混合物在起作用——
肥皂水的混合物在起作用——
00:55
is the right soapy water mixture itself --
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与棍子无关，
00:58
not the sticks,
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尽管可能用得到，
00:59
which may be needed,
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01:01
but you can easily make them at home.
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你在家里也能很容易的做出这些泡泡。
把焦点放在棍子上让我们忽视了
真实的工具其实就是气泡本身。
真实的工具其实就是气泡本身。
01:03
Focusing on the sticks makes us not see
that the real tool is the bubble itself.
that the real tool is the bubble itself.
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01:10
Bubbles might seem like something
just children make while playing,
just children make while playing,
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或许气泡看起来只是
孩子们玩弄的东西，
孩子们玩弄的东西，
01:16
but sometimes it can be really stunning.
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但有时它的效果十分惊人。
01:19
However, there are more
fascinating science to bubbles,
fascinating science to bubbles,
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然而，这些气泡背后
还有着更为迷人的科学知识，
还有着更为迷人的科学知识，
例如解决问题的工具。
01:24
such as problem-solving tools.
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01:27
So I would like to share with you
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所以我想跟你们分享
关于制造气泡的科学故事，
01:29
a few stories about
the science of creating bubbles
the science of creating bubbles
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和消除微观气泡的科学。
01:33
and the science of eliminating
the microscopic ones.
the microscopic ones.
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既然已经在屏幕上显示了，
我们就从肥皂泡开始吧。
我们就从肥皂泡开始吧。
01:37
Since it's up on the screen,
let's start with the soap bubble.
let's start with the soap bubble.
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01:42
It is made from very common substances:
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它是由很相似的物质构成的，
01:45
air, water, soap, in the right mixture.
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空气，水，肥皂，适当的混合，
01:50
You can see soap bubbles
constantly changing their colors.
constantly changing their colors.
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你们可以看到肥皂泡不断的变换颜色。
这是由于它与灯光在不同角度相互作用，
01:53
This is due to the interaction with light
at various directions
at various directions
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而且厚度也会发生变化。
01:58
and the changes of their thickness.
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其中一个共同的物质，水分子
02:01
One of the common substances,
water molecules,
water molecules,
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02:05
are formed by two atoms of hydrogen
and one atom of oxygen -- H2O.
and one atom of oxygen -- H2O.
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是由两个氢原子和
一个氧原子组成的——即 H2O。
一个氧原子组成的——即 H2O。
02:12
On most surfaces, water droplets
tend to curve inwards,
tend to curve inwards,
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在大多数表面上，水滴倾向于向内弯曲
形成半球形状。
02:17
forming a semihemisphere shape.
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02:20
This is because the water droplet's
surface is like an elastic sheet.
surface is like an elastic sheet.
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这是因为水滴的表面富有弹性，
02:25
The water molecule on the surface
is constantly being pulled inwards
is constantly being pulled inwards
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表面的水分子不断地
被中心的分子拉向内部。
02:29
by the molecule at the center.
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弹性就是我们所说的表面张力。
02:32
And the quality of the elasticity
is what we call "surface tension."
is what we call "surface tension."
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02:38
Now by adding soap,
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通过增加肥皂，
肥皂分子降低了水的表面张力，
02:40
what happens is the soap molecule
reduces the surface tension of water,
reduces the surface tension of water,
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使得它更具弹性，并且更容易形成气泡。
02:45
making it more elastic
and easier to form bubbles.
and easier to form bubbles.
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02:50
You can think of a bubble
as a mathematical problem-solver.
as a mathematical problem-solver.
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可以把一个气泡想成
一个数学问题解决者，
一个数学问题解决者，
02:55
You see it relentlessly trying
to achieve geometry perfection.
to achieve geometry perfection.
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你看到它不断尝试去实现几何学完美，
例如，对于给定的体积，球体是
03:00
For instance, a sphere is the shape
with the least surface area
with the least surface area
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表面积最小的形状。
03:06
for a given volume.
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这就是为什么一个气泡
总是以球体的形态存在，
总是以球体的形态存在，
03:08
That's why a single bubble
is always in the shape of a sphere.
is always in the shape of a sphere.
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让我来展示给你们看。
03:12
Let me show you. Check it out.
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03:30
This is a single bubble.
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这是一个单一的气泡，
当两个气泡彼此接触，
03:31
When two bubbles touch each other,
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03:37
they can save materials
by sharing a common wall.
by sharing a common wall.
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它们会通过共享球壁来节约材料。
03:48
When more and more bubbles
are added together,
are added together,
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当越来越多的气泡聚集到一起，
它们的几何形状会发生变化。
03:51
their geometry changes.
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03:53
These four bubbles are added together.
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这四个气泡聚集在一起，
它们在中心有一个交点。
03:55
They meet at one point at the center.
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04:42
When six bubbles are added together,
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当六个气泡聚集到一起，
一个神奇的立方体就会出现在中心。
04:45
a magical cube appears at the center.
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（掌声）
04:47
(Applause)
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04:55
That is surface tension at work,
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这是表面张力在起作用，
04:57
trying to find the most effective
geometry arrangement.
geometry arrangement.
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试图找到最有效的几何排列。
05:03
Now, let me give you another example.
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现在，让我们来看另一个例子。
05:09
This is a very simple prop.
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这是一个非常简单的道具，
05:13
This is made from two layers of plastic
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它由两层塑料制成，
通过四个针钉相互连接。
05:17
with four pins connected to each other.
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05:19
Imagine these four pins represent
four cities that are equally apart,
four cities that are equally apart,
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试想这四个针钉代表了四个等距的城市，
我们想修建马路把四个城市连接起来。
05:25
and we would like to make roads
to connect these four cities.
to connect these four cities.
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05:30
My question is: What is the shortest
length to connect these four cities?
length to connect these four cities?
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我的问题是：连接这四个城市
最短的路径是什么？
最短的路径是什么？
05:35
Let's find out the answer
by dipping it into the soapy water.
by dipping it into the soapy water.
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让我们将其浸入肥皂水中来找出答案。
请记住，肥皂泡的形成总是会尽量
05:43
Remember, the soap bubble forms
will always try to minimize
will always try to minimize
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使表面积最小化，
05:49
their surface area
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05:50
with a perfect geometry arrangement.
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并伴随完美的几何排列。
05:54
So the solution might not be
something you expected.
something you expected.
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所以解决方案或许不是你所期待的那样。
06:02
The shortest length
to connect these four cities
to connect these four cities
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连接四个城市最短的长度，
是两个城市距离的2.73倍。
06:05
is 2.73 times the distance
between these two cities.
between these two cities.
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（掌声）
06:11
(Applause)
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06:17
Now you've got the idea.
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现在你已经明白了，
肥皂泡的形成总是
尽量使表面积最小化，
尽量使表面积最小化，
06:19
The soap bubble forms will always try
to minimize their surface area
to minimize their surface area
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并伴有完美的几何排列。
06:24
with a perfect geometry arrangement.
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06:29
Now, let us look at bubbles
in another perspective.
in another perspective.
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现在，让我们用从另一个
角度来看待这些气泡。
角度来看待这些气泡。
06:36
My daughter, Zoe, loves visiting zoos.
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我的女儿，Zoe，喜欢逛动物园。
她最喜欢的地方是位于英格兰
南部的马威尔动物园的企鹅湾。
南部的马威尔动物园的企鹅湾。
06:40
Her favorite spot is Penguin Cove
at Marwell Zoo in Southern England,
at Marwell Zoo in Southern England,
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在那里她可以看企鹅
在水下飞快的游泳。
在水下飞快的游泳。
06:46
where she could see penguins
swim at speed under the water.
swim at speed under the water.
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有一天，她注意到当企鹅们游泳时，
06:51
One day, she noticed
that the body of penguins
that the body of penguins
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它们的身后会留下一串串的气泡，
06:55
leaves a trail of bubbles when they swim
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她向我询问其中原因。
06:58
and asked why.
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动物和鸟类，比如企鹅，
07:00
Animals and birds like penguins
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大部分时间都生活在水里，
07:03
that spend a lot of their time
under the water
under the water
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07:06
have evolved an ingenious way
of utilizing the capability of bubbles
of utilizing the capability of bubbles
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逐渐进化出了一种可以利用气泡
07:13
to reduce the density of water.
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来降低水的密度的巧妙方式。
07:17
Emperor penguins are thought to be able
to dive a few hundred meters
to dive a few hundred meters
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帝企鹅可以在海平面下几百米深的
水下潜水。
07:21
below the sea surface.
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07:24
They are thought to store
the air under their feathers
the air under their feathers
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它们被认为会在潜水前
在羽毛下面存储空气，
07:28
before they dive
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然后逐渐释放空气形成一团气泡。
07:29
and then progressively release it
as a cloud of bubbles.
as a cloud of bubbles.
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07:35
This reduces the density
of water surrounding them,
of water surrounding them,
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这可以降低它们周围的水的密度，
让游泳变得更轻松，
07:38
making it easier to swim through
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同时可以将游泳速度提高至少40%。
07:41
and speed up their swimming speed
at least 40 percent.
at least 40 percent.
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07:47
This feature has been noticed
by the ship manufacturers.
by the ship manufacturers.
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这个特点被船舶制造商注意到了。
07:52
I am talking about the big ships here,
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我说的是大型船只，
那些可以跨洋运输
上千个集装箱的大船，
上千个集装箱的大船，
07:55
the ones that are used to transport
thousands of containers across the ocean.
thousands of containers across the ocean.
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08:01
Recently, they developed a system
called "air lubricating system,"
called "air lubricating system,"
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他们近来开发了一套
称为“空气润滑系统”的装置，
称为“空气润滑系统”的装置，
就是受企鹅的启发。
08:06
inspired by the penguins.
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08:09
In this system, they produce
a lot of air bubbles
a lot of air bubbles
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他们用这个系统制造很多空气泡，
并重新分散在整只船周围，
08:13
and redistribute them across
the whole of the ship,
the whole of the ship,
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08:18
like an air carpet
that reduces the water resistance
that reduces the water resistance
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就像一层空气地毯一样，以此来降低
船行时水的阻力。
08:22
when a ship is moving.
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08:26
This feature cuts off the energy
consumption for the ship
consumption for the ship
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这个功能为船只节省了
高达15%的能源消耗。
08:30
up to 15 percent.
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08:34
Bubbles can also be used for medicines.
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气泡同样也可以用于医药，
它也可以在药物中发挥作用。
08:38
It can also play a role in medicines,
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例如，可以作为将药物和基因
运送至身体的某个特定部位的
运送至身体的某个特定部位的
08:42
for instance, as a method for noninvasive
delivery systems for drugs and genes
delivery systems for drugs and genes
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非侵入性传递系统的一种方法。
08:49
to a specific part of the body.
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想象一个
08:52
Imagine a microbubble
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充满药物和磁性剂混合物的微泡，
08:54
filled with a mixture
of drugs and magnetic agents
of drugs and magnetic agents
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被注入到我们的血液中。
08:58
being injected into our bloodstream.
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09:02
The bubbles will move to the target areas.
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气泡会移向目标区域，
但是它们如何知道要去哪里呢？
09:05
But how do they know where to go?
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因为我们在那放置了一个磁体，
09:08
Because we placed a magnet there.
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例如，我手上的这个部位。
09:10
For instance, this part of my hand.
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当微泡移到我手上的这个部位，
09:12
When the microbubbles
move to this part of my hand,
move to this part of my hand,
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我们就可以通过超声使它破裂，
09:16
we can pop it via ultrasound
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并且准确的把药物释放到所需部位。
09:20
and release the drug
exactly where it's needed.
exactly where it's needed.
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09:25
Now, I mentioned about
the science of creating bubbles.
the science of creating bubbles.
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那么，我提到了制造气泡的科学，
但是有时我们也需要除去气泡，
09:29
But sometimes we also need to remove them.
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这实际上也是我工作的一部分。
09:33
That's actually part of my job.
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09:36
My exact job title is
"ink formulation scientist."
"ink formulation scientist."
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我确切的职称是“油墨配方科学家”，
但是，我所打交道的不是
你们写字用的笔中的那种油墨，
你们写字用的笔中的那种油墨，
09:41
But I don't work on the ink
that you use for your writing pens.
that you use for your writing pens.
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09:46
I'm working on some cool applications
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我所用的油墨有着非常酷的应用，
如有机光伏，OPV；
09:49
such as organic photovoltaics, OPVs,
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和有机发光二极管，OLED。
09:53
and organic light-emitting diodes, OLEDs.
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我的一部分工作就是搞清楚
我们在油墨生产过程中
我们在油墨生产过程中
09:57
Part of my job is to figure out
how and why we want to remove the bubbles
how and why we want to remove the bubbles
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要消除气泡的方式和原因。
10:03
from the ink that my company produces.
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10:06
During the formulation-mixing process,
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在配方混合过程中，
10:10
or preparation process,
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或者准备过程中，
我们将活性成分，溶剂
和添加剂混合在一起，
和添加剂混合在一起，
10:12
we mix active ingredients,
solvents and additives
solvents and additives
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以使配方在墨水使用过程中
10:18
in order to achieve the formulations
with the properties we want
with the properties we want
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10:22
when the ink is being used.
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实现我们想要的性能。
10:25
But just like you would make drinks
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但是，就像你做饮品
或是烘培蛋糕，
10:28
or bake cakes,
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一些气泡会不可避免地
进入到油墨中。
进入到油墨中。
10:29
it is unavoidable that some air bubbles
will be trapped inside that ink.
will be trapped inside that ink.
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10:35
Here, we are talking
about a different space
about a different space
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在这里，我们谈论的气泡
与我在巴黎看到的
有着截然不同的尺度。
有着截然不同的尺度。
10:38
from the bubbles I'd seen in Paris.
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10:42
The bubbles that are trapped
inside those inks
inside those inks
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那些困在油墨里的气泡，
尺寸在几毫米
10:45
vary between a few millimeters,
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到几微米不等，
10:48
a few microns
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甚至只有几纳米。
10:49
or even a few nanometers in size.
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10:52
And what we are concerned about
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我们所关心的是
困在里面的氧气和水分。
10:54
is the oxygen and the moisture
that is trapped inside.
that is trapped inside.
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10:58
At this size scale,
removing them is not easy.
removing them is not easy.
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在这样的尺寸范围里
移除它们并不容易。
移除它们并不容易。
11:04
But it matters,
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但是这很重要，
11:06
for instance, for organic
light-emitting diodes inks
light-emitting diodes inks
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例如，对于可以用来生产
智能手机显示屏的有机发光二极管，
11:11
that we can use to produce display
for your smartphone, for example.
for your smartphone, for example.
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11:19
It's supposed to last for many years,
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它应该十分经久耐用，
但如果我们使用的油墨
掺进了氧气和水分，
掺进了氧气和水分，
11:21
but if the ink that we use has been
absorbed with oxygen and moisture
absorbed with oxygen and moisture
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又没能被移除，
11:26
[which] are not being removed,
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我们很快就会在像素中看到黑点。
11:29
then we can quickly see
dark spots appear in the pixels.
dark spots appear in the pixels.
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11:34
Now, one challenge we face
in removing the microbubbles
in removing the microbubbles
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在移除微气泡的过程中，
我们所面临的一个挑战是，
我们所面临的一个挑战是，
它们并不配合。
11:41
is that they are not very cooperative.
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它们被固定在油墨中，
11:45
They like to sit there,
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几乎一动不动。
11:47
bathing in the ink without moving much.
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那我们该如何把它们移走呢？
11:50
But how do we kick them out?
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11:54
One technology we use
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我们使用的一种技术，
就是迫使油墨穿过一根
11:56
is to force the ink going through
a thin, long and tiny tube
a thin, long and tiny tube
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带有多孔壁的细长的管子，
12:02
with a porous wall,
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我们把管子放到真空室内，
12:04
and we place the tubes
inside the vacuum chamber,
inside the vacuum chamber,
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这样气泡就会从油墨中被挤压出来，
12:07
so that the bubbles can be
squeezed out from the ink
squeezed out from the ink
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进而被移除。
12:12
and be removed.
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12:14
Once we manage to remove the bubbles
from the ink that we produce,
from the ink that we produce,
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在成功的将气泡从所生产的
油墨中移除的那一刻，
油墨中移除的那一刻，
我们应该为此庆祝。
12:21
it is time for celebration.
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12:25
Let's open a bubbling champagne.
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让我们打开一瓶气泡香槟，
12:35
Ooh, this is going to be fun!
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喔，这将会非常有趣！
（笑声）
12:37
(Laughter)
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哇！
12:42
Woooo!
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（掌声）
12:44
(Applause)
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12:52
You could see a lot of bubbles
rushing out from the champagne bottle.
rushing out from the champagne bottle.
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你们可以看到很多泡泡
从酒瓶中喷涌而出，
从酒瓶中喷涌而出，
12:58
These are the bubbles
filled with carbon dioxide,
filled with carbon dioxide,
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这些气泡充满了二氧化碳，
一种在制酒的发酵过程中产生的气体。
13:02
a gas that's been produced during
the fermentation process of the wine.
the fermentation process of the wine.
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13:09
Let me pour some out.
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让我们倒出一些，
13:12
I can't miss the chance.
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我可不能错过这样的机会。
13:22
I guess it's enough.
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应该够了。
13:24
(Laughter)
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（笑声）
13:29
Here, I can see a lot of microbubbles
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这里，我可以看到许多微小的气泡，
从杯子的底部向香槟的液面移动。
13:34
moving from the bottom of the glass
to the top of the champagne.
to the top of the champagne.
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13:40
Before it pops,
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在破裂前，
13:42
it will jet tiny droplets
of aroma molecules
of aroma molecules
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它会喷射出很多香气分子，
让香槟的味道更加浓郁，
13:47
and intensify the flavor of champagne,
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让我们能够更好的享受香槟的味道。
13:51
making us enjoy much more
the flavor of champagne.
the flavor of champagne.
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13:56
As a scientist who is
passionate about bubbles,
passionate about bubbles,
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作为一个痴迷于气泡的科学家，
我喜欢观察这些气泡，
13:59
I love to see them,
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14:02
I love to play with them,
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与气泡为伴，
研究它们。
14:04
and I love to study them.
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同时，我也喜欢将它们一饮而尽。
14:06
And also, I love to drink them.
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谢谢！
14:09
Thank you.
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（掌声）
14:10
(Applause)
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Translated by Mengjia MA
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Li Wei Tan - Formulation scientistAs a formulation scientist, Li Wei Tan is constantly finding ways to understand why something works and why it doesn't.
Why you should listen
For Li Wei Tan, curiosity is a primary motivation of her work. A senior scientist for Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany in Chilworth, United Kingdom, she is responsible for developing ink formulations, new materials and integrations into the company's OPV portfolios, including providing technical advice to new customers. Previously, she worked in Merck's organic electronics R&D group. Her formal studies have straddled fields of nanotechnologies, material science and analytical chemistry.
Li Wei Tan | Speaker | TED.com