Topic：Harnessing air bubbles for materials separation

Lecturer：Prof. Wang Liguang

Affiliation：The University of Queensland

Time：9:30 on 26th June, 2025

Venue：Lecture Hall at the Atrium on the 4th Floor of Hongyi Building

Report Abstract：

Froth flotation is a physiochemical process widely used to separate materials based on differences in their surface affinity for air bubbles. This presentation first highlights effective solid-liquid separation – such as harvesting of microalgae from water for biofuel production - achieved by froth flotation with reduced bubble size. It then introduces novel methods (e.g., oscillatory air supply and acoustic sound) to improve solid-solid separation by froth flotation for critical metal production that drives the shift toward renewable energy. The underlying mechanisms behind flotation improvements are discussed with emphasis on bubble-bubble and bubble-particle interactions.