Plane model of fluid interface rupture in an electric field

Modeling of an air-fluid interface in an electric field is presented. Specifically, equilibrium of the interface under the dominant forces—electric stress, surface tension, and pressure—is investigated. Since interface shape and equilibrium are related, the shape of an electrified interface is also addressed. To determine the electric stress, an analytical expression for the electric field in the vicinity of the interface is determined. The operating point of the interface is shown to exist in a three-dimensional parameter space that is divided by a critical surface into equilibrium, quasiequilibrium, and nonequilibrium subdomains. The three parameters are applied voltage, electrode separation, and pressure difference. Interface size, counterelectrode size, and fluid properties are also considered. The subdomain in which the operating point resides defines the important characteristics of the interface. The operating point moves within, and transfers between, equilibrium subdomains, and points on the critical surface represent “rupture points” of the interface. The final shape of the interface is solved iteratively using this equilibrium model. Interfaces emitting an electrospray can have a range of apex angles, and it is shown that the magnitude of this angle impacts equilibrium. It is revealed that the excess pressure difference term is critical in determining the interface shape specifically the cone generatrix and that minimization of the potential energy of all forces can be used to predict the magnitude of the apex angle and pressure immediately after interface rupture. The equilibrium model is important from an operational and optimization perspective, as it is useful to predict the conditions required to break equilibrium and transfer to a quasiequilibrium state i.e., an electrospray, and the conditions necessary to maintain quasiequilibrium once it is formed.NSER

On the Pulsed and Transitional Behavior of an Electrified Fluid Interface

Journal of Fluids Engineering Copyright © 2009 by ASME SEPTEMBER 2009, Vol. 131 / 091202-1Transient modes of an electrified fluid interface are investigated, specifically, (a) intermittent or pulsed cone-jet mode and (b) smooth and abrupt transitions of the interface in response to a step voltage. These modes were studied experimentally by capturing the motion of the interface and measuring the emitted ion current (via electrospray) as they occur. The observed phenomena are described using an analytical model for the equilibrium of an electrified fluid interface, and the effect of operational parameters on the transient modes is discussed. Pressure, which is related to the supplied flow rate, significantly influences the behavior of the transient modes. It is useful to understand transient modes so they can be avoided in applications that require a stable electrospray. However, with improved knowledge, the modes studied here can assist in the development of specialized applications. DOI: 10.1115/1.3203203NSER

A Piezoactuated Droplet-Dispensing Microfluidic Chip

A microfluidic dispensing device that is capable of generating droplets with volumes varying between 1 nL and 50 pL at an ejection frequency of up to 6 kHz is presented. In this device, a piezoactuator pushes onto an elastic membrane via piston tips; the mechanical bending of the membrane generates a pressure pulse pushing droplets out. An analytical model was developed solving bending characteristics of a plate-actuated fluidic dispensing system and used to calculate the displaced volume. The model was extended to perform stress analysis to find the optimum piston tip radius by minimizing design stresses. The optimum piston tip radius was found to be 67% of the chamber radius. The actuation force estimated using the analytical model was then used as input to a finite element model of the dispenser. A detailed numerical analysis was then performed to model the fluid flow and droplet ejection process and to find critical geometric and operating parameters. Results from both models were used together to find the best design parameters. The device contains three layers, a silicon layer sandwiched between two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer layers. Silicon dry etching, together with PDMS soft lithography, was used to fabricate the chip. PDMS oxygen plasma bonding is used to bond the layers. Prototypes developed were successfully tested to dispense same-sized droplets repeatedly without unwanted droplets. The design allows easy expansion and simultaneous dispensing of fluids.NSER

Application of an Equilibrium Model for an Electrified Fluid Interface—Electrospray Using a PDMS Microfluidic Device

An experimental investigation of an electrified fluid interface is presented. The experimental findings are related to a previously developed analytical model of Gubarenko , which is used to determine when a fluidic interface under electrical stress is in equilibrium, and to observations reported in the literature. The effect of key parameters on causing the interface to rupture, form, and maintain an electrospray is investigated. The experimental results reveal the dependence of interface shape on operational parameters, the impact of the interface apex angle on equilibrium, the conditions that cause either dripping mode or cone-jet mode, and the structure of operational domains. This paper confirms predictions made using the analytical model, including the range of parameters that cause the onset and steadiness of a quasi-equilibrium (electrospray) state of the interface. Testing is performed using an electrospray emitter chip fabricated from two layers of Polydimethylsiloxane and one layer of glass. The model and experimental results assist in design decisions for electrospray emitters. Applications of electrified interfaces (electrosprays) are found in mass spectrometry, microfluidics, material deposition, and colloidal thrusters for propulsion