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Current-voltage characteristic of electrospray processes in microfluidics
V R Gundabala1, N Vilanova, A Fernández-Nieves
1School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0430, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|January 15, 2011
Summary
This study reveals how coflowing liquid affects electrospray electric current in microfluidics. Current is strongly dependent on voltage but weakly on flow rate, unlike traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Electrospray
- Electrokinetics
Background:
- Electrospray is a widely used technique for generating charged droplets.
- Understanding current behavior in microfluidic electrospray is crucial for precise control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electric current behavior of electrospray in a microfluidic device with a coflowing liquid.
- To analyze the dependence of current on voltage and flow rate.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a glass-based microfluidic device.
- Studied electrospray in the presence of a coflowing liquid.
- Analyzed electric current under varying voltage and flow rate conditions.
Main Results:
- Observed strong voltage dependence and weak flow rate dependence of the electric current.
- Devised a model capturing current dependence based on convection and electric stresses.
- Results contrast significantly with classical electrospray behavior.
Conclusions:
- The electric current in this microfluidic electrospray is primarily governed by convection and tangential electric stresses.
- Demonstrated robust electric control over current and drop size is achievable.
- Elucidated the influence of external field strength on electrospray dynamics.
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