Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, The City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.
Acoustic Arc International Limited, Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 11;7:40289. doi: 10.1038/srep40289.
The development of a novel lead-free microelectromechanical-system (MEMS)-based atomizer using the principle of thermal bubble actuation is presented. It is a low-cost, lead-free design that is environmentally friendly and harmless to humans. It has been tested to be applicable over a wide range of fluid viscosities, ranging from 1 cP (e.g., water) to 200 cP (e.g., oil-like fluid) at room temperature, a range that is difficult to achieve using ordinary atomizers. The results demonstrate that the average power consumption of the atomizer is approximately 1 W with an atomization rate of 0.1 to 0.3 mg of deionized (DI) water per cycle. The relationships between the micro-heater track width and the track gap, the size of the micro-cavities and the nucleation energy were studied to obtain an optimal atomizer design. The particle image velocimetry (PIV) results indicate that the diameter of the ejected droplets ranges from 30 to 90 μm with a speed of 20 to 340 mm/s. In addition, different modes of spraying are reported for the first time. It is envisioned that the successful development of this MEMS-based atomizing technology will revolutionize the existing market for atomizers and could also benefit different industries, particularly in applications involving viscous fluids.
介绍了一种使用热气泡驱动原理开发的新型无铅微机电系统 (MEMS) 雾化器。这是一种低成本、无铅设计，对环境和人类无害。它已经过测试，适用于从 1 cP（如水）到 200 cP（如油状流体）的广泛流体粘度范围，这是普通雾化器难以实现的范围。结果表明，雾化器的平均功耗约为 1 W，雾化率为 0.1 至 0.3 mg 去离子（DI）水/循环。研究了微加热器轨道宽度与轨道间隙、微腔尺寸和成核能之间的关系，以获得最佳的雾化器设计。粒子图像测速（PIV）结果表明，喷出的液滴直径范围为 30 至 90 μm，速度为 20 至 340 mm/s。此外，首次报道了不同的喷雾模式。预计这种基于 MEMS 的雾化技术的成功开发将彻底改变现有的雾化器市场，并可能使不同行业受益，特别是在涉及粘性流体的应用中。
