Ultrasonic nozzles are a type of spray nozzle that use high frequency vibrations produced by piezoelectric transducers acting upon the nozzle tip that create capillary waves in a liquid film. Once the amplitude of the capillary waves reaches a critical height, they become too tall to support themselves and tiny droplets fall off the tip of each wave resulting in atomization.
Rendering of an ultrasonic nozzle
PEM active layer deposition by ultrasonic spraying. Ultrasonic spraying first creates tiny droplets that deposit on the surface of the Nafion membrane, creating a uniform layer of platinum-carbon catalyst
A spray nozzle or atomizer is a device that facilitates the dispersion of a liquid by the formation of a spray. The production of a spray requires the fragmentation of liquid structures, such as liquid sheets or ligaments, into droplets, often by using kinetic energy to overcome the cost of creating additional surface area. A wide variety of spray nozzles exist, that make use of one or multiple liquid breakup mechanisms, which can be divided into three categories: liquid sheet breakup, jets and capillary waves. Spray nozzles are of great importance for many applications, where the spray nozzle is designed to have the right spray characteristics.
Actuation of a nasal-spray bottle, used to deliver medication via the nostrils
Clondiser or nasal atomizer, by Pineolum Co., New York, 1890-1930
Example of a vintage atomizer nozzle
Principle of operation of an atomizer