Note: A simple vibrating orifice monodisperse droplet generator using a hard drive actuator arm.
We propose that the rotary voice coil actuators found in magnetic hard drives are fit to supercede loudspeakers as expedient vibration sources in the laboratory setting. A specific use case is the excitation of a liquid jet to induce controlled breakup into monodisperse droplets. Like loudspeakers, which are typically used for prototyping such devices, hard drive actuators are cheap and ubiquitous, but they are less unwieldy and supply greater amplitudes without producing noise. Frequencies between 0 and 17 kHz, and likely beyond, can be reproduced reliably. No machining tools or amplifying electronics are needed for the construction and operation of the presented droplet generator.
Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
Sebastian
S
Kosch
Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
Nasser
N
Ashgriz