The discovery of nanobubbles, also known as ultrafine bubbles (UFBs), dates to the late 1990s when researchers, equipped with advanced microscopy tools, began to notice the presence of tiny, seemingly stable bubbles in ocean water and streams.
This observation was initially met with skepticism, as traditional understanding suggested that such small bubbles would quickly dissolve due to high internal pressure. However, persistent investigations and refinements in analytical techniques gradually confirmed their existence.
Forming a structure that traps gases and other molecules inside, UFBs were found to be unique in their ability to transport nutrients and gases to cells much more effectively given their immense surface area, negative charge, and high pressures inside.
The field of UFBs is growing massively. Publications citing research into ultrafine bubbles have skyrocketed to over 3,500 annually, up from just a few hundred in 2005. Similarly, the applications are growing.
Early experiments demonstrated the potential of ultrafine bubbles in enhancing water quality, leading to their use in water treatment and agriculture which allowed plants to grow faster and healthier with less pesticide. This sparked a wave of interest in exploring other uses, including personal care, beverages and even medicine, where microfine bubbles are being investigated for drug delivery.¹⁻³
The applications of UFBs can be appropriate anywhere where nutrients need to penetrate cells more effectively and efficiently. But not all UFBs are created equal.
Next generation UFBs
In efforts to drive product performance through better, cleaner and faster delivery of active ingredients, researchers at Hydrosome Labs have developed some of the smallest UFBs ever detected.
Hydrosome Labs' unique ultrafine bubbles, called ‘Hydrosomes’, have significantly higher surface area compared with bubbles in regular water (one trillion fit in one champagne bubble) making them superior transporters to cells. And their patented process creates bubbles that are stable in solutions for at least two years (versus six months for other technologies).
“Water is second only to oxygen as the most essential substance for survival, yet we take for granted that it will always function the same,” said Nick Jackowetz, Chief Science Officer at Hydrosome Labs.
“History is filled with natural substances improved upon for the benefit of society – carbon into carbon fiber, silica into computer chips and more. What if water itself could be improved in a natural and sustainable way? That’s what our technology is all about,” adds Jackowetz.
The company says it is taking the nascent ultrafine bubble industry in new directions by expanding the technology into categories where it has not previously been applied. In essence, Hydrosome Labs is helping create and expand a category that has profound potential to improve lives. The industry is currently focused on agriculture and sanitation.
Hydrosome Labs is bringing innovation to white spaces including:
- Significantly enhancing the speed and yield of precision fermentations used to create everything from cow-free dairy products to variety of alternative proteins
- Furthering the development of clean beauty products, delivering nutrients to the skin more deeply, efficiently and naturally
- Achieving faster, longer-lasting, and enhanced hydration in functional beverages
Solving problems: Fermentation production and capacity
Hydrosome Labs is poised to usher in a new era in precision fermentation and biomanufacturing. It aims to solve multiple industry problems faced in fermentation, a process that involves the customization of yeast and/or bacteria to produce specific molecules for use in a wide variety of applications including food, ingredients, biofuels, industrial enzymes, and pharmaceuticals.
This new technology has the potential to help solve a global industry bottleneck in fermentation capacity and equipment, allowing for the production of dramatically higher yields in the same size or previously unsuitable tanks. A recent study at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) at the University of Illinois found that the Hydrosome Labs process doubles precision fermentation yields while decreasing production time.⁴
Scott Jacobson, Associate Director of Strategic Operation at IBRL says the technology has major potential to drive the industry forward.
“While there have been significant advances in synthetic biology resulting in a tremendous number of new products capable of being made through fermentation, we have seen very little innovation in the fermentation process or equipment to assist in scaling these discoveries.
“This technology has the potential to positively impact the economics of new products in a wide range of industries and can also be applied to existing processes or retrofit last generation fermentation equipment currently unsuitable for these new products,” adds Jacobson.
In addition to its work with IBRL, the company recently received a grant from the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition to explore how UFBs can be employed to benefit the industry, resolve global capacity bottlenecks and provide better products for consumers.
Innovation in food and beverage
Hydrosomes have been shown in multiple clinical and in-vitro studies to drive faster and better hydration by improving the delivery of water to cells.⁵ In-vitro testing by Inotox, an independent lab, showed faster rehydration of red blood cells when exposed to Hydrosomes.⁶
A double blind, crossover clinical trial on male athletes run by KGK, a CRO known for its work in the nutritional space, showed longer lasting hydration for athletes consuming Hydrosome H2O. Other emerging applications include:⁷
- Sensory benefits When filled with different gasses like CO2, O2, or even N2O, the high surface area and concentrations of Hydrosomes have the ability to modulate flavors in beverages
- Sugar reduction The ability to modulate sweetness and flavors means manufacturers can use less sugar
- Gut microbiome health A recent 12-week pre-clinical trial found that the consumption of water containing ultrafine bubbles was found to have positive impacts on the health of the gut microbiome⁸
Because of emerging patent protection, Hydrosome Labs enjoys competitive advantage in a number of areas. The technology is ‘cell friendly’ as Hydrosome Labs uses a gentle process called hydrodynamic cavitation to create its Hydrosomes.
Chemical and sustainability challenges
Some consumers in beauty care and other categories have grown tired of chemical-filled beauty products driving a trend towards clean beauty. With Hydrosome H2O’s ability to improve the permeation of active ingredients, it can help eliminate the need for other chemical-based penetration enhancers – simplifying formulas and ingredient lists, while boosting the efficacy of existing formulations.
Formulators can now create a cleaner formula, with improved performance. It also And because it can be formulated with less of the active ingredient, while still achieving the same benefit, it can result in significant ingredient cost savings across industries.
Manufacturers are looking for a natural and more sustainable supply chain. Hydrosomes allow manufacturers to do more with less, while using fewer chemicals, reducing environmental impact, and streamlining supply chains.
Unique team and approach
The team at Hydrosome Labs has PhDs or advanced degrees with experience in chemistry and technology from everywhere from Constellation Brands to Argonne National Labs. The science advisory board – including Procter & Gamble’s former Chief Innovation Officer, and the current head of R&D at Chobani – is active in setting scientific direction where the company has invested in taking a science-first approach.
To date, the company has conducted over 100 scientific studies and has collaborated with investigators from leading universities and clinical research labs including the University of Chicago, Cornell University, North Carolina State University, TRI Princeton, IBRL, among others.
In October, 2024, the team delivered an address at world-leading UFB scientific conference and continues to work with academia and industry to push the limits of what UFBs can do. The company is prioritizing fermentation, beverage, and skin care verticals.
However, it sees future potential in many areas like pharmaceuticals with the ability to better deliver drugs to the body. Bob Jacobs, President, Hydrosome Labs says: “We are making changes to the properties of water no one imagined possible. We’re just scratching the surface though – the possible applications are almost limitless.”
References
1. Jin, J.; et al. Drug delivery system based on nanobubbles. Wiley Online Library.
2. Jia, M.; et al. Nanobubbles in water and wastewater treatment systems: Small bubbles making big difference. Water Research, Volume 245, 2023, 120613.
3. Zhang, Y.J.; et al. Progress in research on preparation and application of oxygen nanobubbles in agriculture. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2023, 31(11): 1780−1791.
4. Hydrosome Labs. Enhancing Aerobic Fermentation Efficiency with Hydrosome™ Labs’ Ultrafine Bubble Technology.
5. Hydrosome Labs. Grounded in Science, Empowered by Collaborative Partnerships.
6. Hydrosome commissioned studies.
7. Hydrosome commissioned studies.
8. Hydrosome Labs. Hydrosome Labs announces promising microbiome results from pre-clinical trial of ultrafine bubbles.