Mixing of Hydrophobic Coarse Sand Particles, Water, and Air. [Picture taken after 25 seconds since mixing process

jsc2022e072959 (9/16/2022) --- Coarse hydrophobic sand is mixed for 25 seconds with water and air. Researchers observe a decent amount of agglomerates (air bubbles) covered by hydrophobic sand particles flowing in the water body. There are also free sand particles floating around. Catastrophic Post-Wildfire Mudflows studies the formation and stability of this bubble-sand structure in microgravity. A better understanding of these phenomena could improve the understanding, modeling, and predicting of mudflows and support development of innovative solutions to prevent catastrophic post-fire events. Image courtesy of the UCSD Geo-Micromechanics Research Group.