Compact polymer multi-nozzles electrospray device with integrated microfluidic feeding system

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) atomization consists in using an electric field for spraying a liquid flowing through a capillary. The applications are: mass spectrometry, colloid thrusters and more recently medicine nebulization processes. EHD atomization provides the ability to control the generated droplets size by adjusting electrospray parameters. It is however essential to manufacture the emitters into arrays because flow through a stable cone-jet mode electrospray can only be maintained at low flow rate and most applications require a high throughput. We propose a new design of a multiple electrospray system involving an innovative nozzle shape and flow restrictor system. Nozzles and microfluidic restrictor system are manufactured on the same polycarbonate sheet using the excimer laser technology and thus allowing a high compactness of this system.

► This work aims at spraying liquid using electrohydrodynamic atomization.
► An 8-nozzle electrospray system was built including microfluidic network/restrictor.
► Material is polycarbonate and manufacturing method uses excimer laser technology.