Pharmaceutical and biomaterial engineering via electrohydrodynamic atomization technologies

•EHDA technologies are enabling platforms for drug delivery and biomaterials.•Micron and nanoscaled structures are engineered in a controlled fashion.•Types of structures include fibers, particles, bubbles and printed architectures.•Structures with various phases (solids, liquids and gases) can be formed.

Complex micro- and nano-structures enable crucial developments in the healthcare remit (e.g., pharmaceutical and biomaterial sciences). In recent times, several technologies have been developed and explored to address key healthcare challenges (e.g., advanced chemotherapy, biomedical diagnostics and tissue regeneration). Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) technologies are rapidly emerging as promising candidates to address these issues. The fundamental principle driving EHDA engineering relates to the action of an electric force (field) on flowing conducting medium (formulation) giving rise to a stable Taylor cone. Through careful optimization of process parameters, material properties and selection, nozzle and needle design, and collection substrate method, complex active micro- and nano-structures are engineered. This short review focuses on key selected recent and established advances in the field of pharmaceutical and biomaterial applications.