Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk3 min

Destroying Stable Foam on Demand: Heat, UV Light and Magnets

Researchers showed that stable 12-HSA foam could be collapsed with heat, UV light or a magnetic field. The experiment was a materials-science proof of concept, not an oil-spill product.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A 2013 proof of concept showed that stable foam made with 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) could be collapsed on demand using heat, ultraviolet light or a magnetic field. The approach is stimulus-responsive foam—not a ready-made oil-spill treatment—and each trigger works through a different mechanism.

How the responsive foam was built

The researchers used 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA), described as a simple, plant-derived surfactant. Shaking it in water produced stable foam. They added carbon black and carbonyl iron particles to further stabilize the foam while giving it responses to light and magnetism.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The work was reported by Anne-Laure Fameau, Stephanie Lam and Orlin D. Velev in “Multi-stimuli responsive foams combining particles and self-assembling fatty acids,” published in Chemical Science in 2013 (DOI: 10.1039/C3SC51774H). The Royal Society of Chemistry described it as the first example of stable, environmentally friendly foam that could be broken down by any one of three external stimuli (RSC Chemical Science Blog, 21 August 2013).

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Three ways to collapse the foam

Heat

The 12-HSA foam collapsed when heated to an elevated temperature, reported as approximately 45 °C by Chemistry World in 2013. This is the temperature reported for this formulation, not a universal threshold for foam collapse.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Bathroom and Shower Foamer Aerosol, Rainshower Scent, 20oz (Pack of 2)
  • What You'll Get: Two 20oz aerosol bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles Rainshower Mega Bathroom Foamier
  • Removes 100% Limescale & Soap Scum: this specialized bathroom cleaner is specially formulated to clean tough bathroom grime and build up in showers and tubs
  • Powerful Clean: clean all your bathroom surfaces leaving a pleasant rainshower scent with no harsh smells
  • Removes 99.9% Of Bathroom Bacteria*: proven when used as directed, wide-range spray nozzle that quickly covers large bathroom surfaces
  • Bathroom Cleaner: offering a variety of bathroom and toilet cleaning solutions for your home, check out the wide variety of products from Fresh Gel Toilet Stamps, Toilet Cleaning Tablets, Bathroom Disinfectants, Toilet Bowl Cleaners, and more!

Ultraviolet light

Carbon black absorbs UV light and generates heat. That local heating destabilizes the foam, allowing light to trigger collapse without adding a separate chemical for the destruction step. Velev, a researcher at North Carolina State University, said: “We can now destroy environmentally friendly foam with light, with no need for additional chemicals or even physical contact.”

A magnetic field

Carbonyl iron particles respond to a magnetic field by moving and distorting the foam structure. That disturbance leads to collapse. This is a mechanical effect of particles responding within the foam, distinct from the heat generated by UV-absorbing carbon black.

Rank #2
Zep Foaming Wall Cleaner - 18oz - Removes Scuffs & Stains
  • SCRUB FREE FORMULA: lifts scuffs and stains without damaging finishes or leaving a residue
  • SAFE ON: Painted surfaces, wall coverings, baseboards, doors & trim
  • GREAT FOR REMOVING: Scuffs, fingerprints, grease, ink, crayons, marker, food & lipstick stains
  • POWER FOAM: Clings to vertical surfaces for easy no scrub usage
  • EASY TO USE: Quickly Spray and Wipe Painted Surfaces Without Damage

Why foam collapses—and how conventional control differs

Foam can break down through liquid draining from its films, bubbles merging (coalescence), and smaller bubbles shrinking as larger ones grow (disproportionation). These processes can reinforce one another. Conventional foam control often uses an antifoaming agent or defoamer; the terms are commonly distinguished by purpose—preventing foam versus acting on foam already present—but usage and products overlap. Some oil-based antifoams enter a foam film and form a bridge that helps rupture it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A 2023 review discusses approximately 15 Pa as a threshold for distinguishing fast from slow antifoam drop-entry behavior in the film-trapping mechanism it examines. That figure is not a measurement of the 12-HSA responsive foam (Discover Chemical Engineering review, 2023).

Rank #3
Kraken Bond Spray Foam Gun Cleaner - (2x12.3oz) Polyurethane Insulation Cleaner Spray, Dissolves Uncured Expanding Cleaner Spray for Extended Tool Durability - 2 Pack
  • Highly Effective Cleaning Power: Kraken Bond spray foam gun cleaner targets and eradicates uncured polyurethane foam with ease, ensuring surfaces and tools, including foam gun applicators, are free from residue, enhancing their performance and longevity.
  • User-Friendly Application: Designed for convenience, simply attach Kraken Bond to your foam gun, use the trigger to release the cleaning solution, and wipe away the dissolved polyurethane foam with ease, maintaining the pristine condition of your tools.
  • Versatile Applications: Ideal for a range of cleaning tasks, from foam insulation remover to gun foam cleaner, Kraken Bond excels in purging unwanted polyurethane foam from expanding foam guns and foam spray gun cleaner tasks, ensuring thorough cleaning.
  • Gun Grade Compatibility: Kraken Bond seamlessly integrates with Kraken Bond foam applicator guns, featuring an adapter ring for easy attachment, making it the essential foam sealant gun cleaner for professional and home use alike.
  • Effortless Maintenance Solution: Our spray foam insulation gun cleaner not only cleans but also preserves your equipment, making Kraken Bond the go-to solution for effective foam gun cleaner dispensing gun cleaner needs, promoting optimal tool efficiency.

In biotechnology, chemical antifoam can affect oxygen transfer and complicate downstream processing. Mechanical foam breakers can avoid or reduce chemical additions, but they bring equipment, cleaning and energy requirements. The choice depends on process data, consumable and equipment costs, energy demand, regulatory limits and other conditions; neither chemical nor mechanical control is best for every process (Discover Chemical Engineering review, 2023).

What the 2013 result does—and does not—mean

The study demonstrated that one formulation could first make stable foam and then be made to collapse through any of three external triggers. That is useful as a materials-science principle: a system can be designed to remain stable until a chosen stimulus is applied.

Rank #4
SPRAYMAN Spray Gun Cleaner - Expanding Polyurethane and Insulation Sealant Remover, Dissolves Spray PU 2 Pack, Can, 12.3 Oz.
  • SUPERIOR INSULATION: Our high-performance spray foam insulation provides superior insulation and air-sealing capabilities for both residential and commercial applications.
  • EXPANDS TO FILL CRACKS: The expanding polyurethane foam fills every crack and crevice, creating an airtight seal that keeps your home or building warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
  • DENSE CLOSED - CELL FOAM: DENSE Our closed-cell insulation spray foam is more dense than open-cell spray foam insulation, and it is made up of cells that are entirely closed, filled with a gas that does not conduct heat.
  • CREATES AIR BARRIES: The closed-cell spray foam insulation creates an air barrier, which helps to prevent drafts, and it can fill small gaps and cracks to prevent air leakage.
  • VERSATILE USAGE: Commonly used in areas where air infiltration must be prevented, such as in roofing, walls and the foundation of a building. It is also used in marine, industrial and commercial applications.

It was not a deployed spill-response product. Velev cautioned that “while this is a valuable proof of concept, this specific system will not be cleaning up an oil spill anywhere soon.” The reported work supports the potential of stimulus-responsive soft materials as inspiration for other systems, not a claim that this particular foam is practical for field cleanup.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

When on-demand collapse could matter

Foam can be useful when it suppresses evaporation or serves a product or process function. But persistent, bulky foam may later need to be handled or transported, and adding a chemical solely to destroy it can be undesirable in some settings. Triggering collapse with heat, light or a magnetic field offers a different design strategy, though a real application would need to establish that the trigger can be delivered safely and effectively and that the formulation suits the process.

Best Value
KEBEGE 4-in-1 Multi-Enzyme Foam Cleaner,Foam Cleaner Multi Purpose,Powerful Cleaning for Car Interior, Kitchen, Bathroom, Sofa Upholstery
  • 【Multi-enzyme foam cleaner】Deeply penetrates to effectively remove stubborn stains, grease, dust, and grime. Safe and effective cleaning for home and vehicle surfaces
  • 【4-in-1 multi-functional】Can be used as a car interior cleaner, kitchen degreaser, bathroom tile cleaner, and fabric cleaner. One bottle meets multiple cleaning needs, saving money and space
  • 【Dense foam】Rich foam adheres tightly to surfaces for superior cleaning power. Spray, wait 30-60 seconds, then wipe clean. No need to scrub hard! Ideal for car detailing and fabric care
  • 【Safe formula】We use plant-derived ingredients to effectively remove stubborn stains such as coffee and ink without damaging delicate leather, synthetic fibers, or chrome/nickel finishes
  • 【Universal surface compatibility】 The compact spray bottle is perfect for home, car detailing, or on-the-go cleaning. Portable packaging for professional-grade cleaning results. Ideal for daily maintenance

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.