Polymer micro-atomizer for cone jet mode electrospray of water

Abstract

A dielectric polymer micro atomizer was fabricated and performed cone jet mode electrospray of water without electrical discharge. A high aspect ratio micro nozzle and an in-plane extractor were proposed to concentrate electric field at the tip of the micro nozzle which prevents electrical discharge in ambient air. A micro pillar array was also proposed to prevent the polymer micro atomizer from wetting during the electrospray. Cone jet mode electrospray of water was performed and visualized by using a nanosecond pulsed laser illumination.