# How to make a giant bubble

## TL;DR

This paper explores the creation and maintenance of giant soap bubbles using polymer mixtures, emphasizing the importance of rheology and molecular weight distribution for optimizing bubble size and longevity.

## Contribution

It identifies the key role of extensional rheology and polymer polydispersity in forming large, durable bubbles, and measures film thickness and lifetime using IR absorption.

## Key findings

- Extensional rheology is crucial for bubble formation.
- Polydispersity improves performance at lower concentrations.
- High molecular weight polymers extend film lifetime.

## Abstract

Using mixtures of soap, water, and long chain polymers, free-floating soap bubbles can be formed with volumes approaching 100 m$^3$. Here we investigate how such thin films are created and maintained over time. We show how the extensional rheology is the most important factor in creating the bubble, and how polydispersity in molecular weight of the solvated polymers leads to better performance at lower concentrations. Additionally, using IR absorption, we measure soap film thickness profiles and film lifetimes. Although the initial thickness mostly depends on the choice of detergent, polymers can dramatically increase film lifetime at high molecular weights and high concentrations, although such high concentrations can inhibit the initial film formation. Thus, the ideal concentration of polymer additives for making giant bubbles requires a robust viscoelastic rheology during extension, and is aided by long film lifetimes during gravitational drainage and evaporation.