aerosol sources and print heads based on surface acoustic wave technology

At SONOJET, we are developing the next-generation of compact, integratable atomizers and aerosol sources, creating directed fine micro- and nanometer-sized droplets using surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology.

Our aerosol sources offer a narrow droplet size distribution and an adjustable flow rate, exhibits low shear forces and can be used with a broad fluid spectrum from aqueous solutions and organic solvents towards particle solutions and inorganic inks as well as biological fluids and cell suspensions.

SONOJET aerosol sources will soon be available as stand-alone devices, for integration into flange-based vacuum system or tube furnaces, and as compact integrated aerosol print heads with aerodynamic focusing.

Our aerosol sources can be seamlessly combined with pumping systems or auto-samplers for continuous sample or ink supply.

preliminary

source design

surface acoustic wave-based aerosol generation

The liquid is fed into the active region of the aerosol chip through an integrated microchannel, where it interacts with the surface acoustic waves in their propagation path and is immediately atomized. With our chip up to 2 different liquids can be fed into the atomization zone at the same time through independent microfluidic channels.

SAW-based aerosol sources show considerable advantages over other traditional aerosol generators and, in particular, ultrasonic atomization. SAW aerosol generators use significantly less power and do not require moving parts, orifices (e.g., nozzles), or meshes, and are suited to produce micro- and nanometer-sized droplets with adjustable droplet size distribution.

broad range of materials and applications

SONOJET aerosol sources can be used to generate aerosols for aerosol-based material deposition and focused aerosol jet printing of particle inks and biological fluids and cell suspensions, for chemical analytics such as mass spectrometry and optical emission spectroscopy, for medical applications such as inhalation therapy and odor generation, as well as for all kinds of aerosol research.