A cleaning system which utilizes surface tension forces (4) and phase changes. The surface (21) to be cleaned is submerged within a vessel (30), and the vessel pressure is increased. Rapid depressurization causes bubbles (12) to form around undesired particulate matter (13) on the surface (14) of the article, the bubbles (12) rising to the surface of the liquid (27), thereby cleaning the article. A second embodiment applies a cleaning fluid (52) to the surface of the article (49) and freezes the fluid (52), thereby reducing the adhesion force between the surface and the particulates. The surface is subsequently heated, and the particulate matter is removed through the medium of the cleaning fluid (52).
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