Formation, stability, and breakup of nanojets

Area of Science:

• Fluid dynamics
• Nanotechnology
• Materials science

Background:

• Controlling fluid behavior at the nanoscale is crucial for advanced applications.
• Understanding jet formation and stability is a key challenge in microfluidics and nanotechnology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the formation and dynamics of fluid propane nanojets.
• To explore the role of thermal fluctuations in nanoscale jet behavior.
• To develop a model linking atomistic simulations to continuum hydrodynamics.

Main Methods:

• Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of fluid propane injection through nanoscale gold nozzles.
• Experimental conditions included nozzle heating and surface coating to prevent film formation.
• Derivation of a stochastic lubrication equation incorporating thermal fluctuations.

Main Results:

• Formation of nanojets with velocities up to 400 m/s.
• Identification of thermal fluctuations influencing jet dynamics at smaller scales.
• Prediction of double-cone neck shapes at molecular dimensions, deviating from traditional models.

Conclusions:

• Pressurized injection through modified nanoscale nozzles enables high-velocity nanojet formation.
• Thermal fluctuations significantly alter nanoscale jet morphology, leading to novel shapes.
• The derived stochastic lubrication equation bridges atomistic and continuum descriptions of nanoscale fluid dynamics.