1973/02/09 by David J. Graves, J. Idicula, C. J. Lambertsen +1 · 29 citations
Engineering · Medicine · Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics · Chemistry · #Particle Dynamics in Fluid Flows #Thermoregulation and physiological responses #Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery #Supersaturation #Bubble #Inert #Composite number #Inert gas #Layer (electronics) #Chemical physics #Chemistry #Materials science #Chemical engineering #Mineralogy #Composite material #Mechanics #Organic chemistry #Physics
paper · doi:10.1126/science.179.4073.582
published in Science 179(4073), 582-584 (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
openalex publication_date 1973/02/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
The counterdiffusion of gases across a composite layer can lead to supersaturation and development of bubbles within the layer. A physicochemical model has been derived to predict the extent of such supersaturation; experiments with inert liquid layers confirm predictions. These findings explain the evolution of cutaneous lesions observed in man during simulated deep-sea dives and the cutaneous lesions and intravascular bubbles experimentally induced in pigs by exchanging certain inert gases across the skin. The phenomena associated with counterdiffusion have widespread physical and biological implications.