Ultrasound imaging is the most widely used medical imaging modality, offering real-time, low-risk, and cost-effective diagnostics. Its power can be dramatically enhanced by lipid-coated microbubbles, which act as ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs). Driven by ultrasound, these microbubbles oscillate and emit a strong nonlinear echo, enabling visualization of blood flow and organ perfusion. Beyond imaging, microbubbles hold enormous untapped potential for non-invasive blood pressure sensing and molecular imaging, where functionalized bubbles bind to diseased cells and reveal pathological changes in real time.
However, current UCAs suffer from two fundamental limitations. First, they consist of bubbles that vary widely in size (1–10 μm). Second, even mono-sized bubbles produced by modern microfluidics still show unpredictable and heterogeneous acoustic responses due to uncontrolled shell composition and structure. This non-uniformity prevents precise pressure sensing down to clinically relevant resolutions (5 mmHg) and hinders reliable molecular detection, keeping these game-changing applications out of reach.
The overarching goal of MICOMAUS is to enable the controlled formation of mono-acoustic microbubbles: bubbles that are not only mono-sized but also have a tuned, predictable acoustic response. This breakthrough requires unraveling the complex coupling between microbubble formation, shell rheology, and ultrasound-driven dynamics—spanning fluid dynamics, colloid and interface science, and acoustics. MICOMAUS will combine high-speed, high-resolution experiments, theoretical modeling, and simulations to create a physics-based understanding of how shell formulation, microfluidic parameters, gas exchange, and molecular binding shape the acoustic behavior of bubbles.
By delivering this knowledge and control, the project aims to transform microbubble technology from trial-and-error to predictive design, paving the way for high-precision ultrasound sensing and targeted molecular imaging. These advances promise a major clinical and societal impact: more accurate diagnostics, safer patient monitoring, and ultimately, new frontiers in personalized and non-invasive medicine.
