Electrospray Device Using Field Modifier for Neutralized Droplets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrospray devices face inefficiencies in neutralizing droplets, leading to charge-induced instability, and existing neutralization methods using ionization-based processes result in low efficiency and safety concerns such as radiation safety and ozone generation.
Innovation Solution
An electrospray device with a first needle applying a voltage to generate charged droplets and a second grounded needle with an electric field modifier to produce oppositely charged droplets, allowing for coagulation-based neutralization without the need for opposite electrical potentials, reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ionization-based neutralization is used to neutralize electrosprayed droplets, then droplet stability is improved, but efficiency is low and safety hazards (radiation, ozone) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ionization-based neutralization component (radioactive materials, corona discharge, photon ionization) from the system and replaces it with a coagulation-based approach using oppositely charged droplets, thereby eliminating radiation and ozone hazards while maintaining droplet stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of charged droplet repulsion (which causes spray instability) into a beneficial coagulation process by introducing oppositely charged droplets that attract and neutralize each other, transforming the instability problem into a controlled neutralization mechanism
2Reliability
If two oppositely charged electrosprays are created for coagulation-based neutralization, then droplet neutralization is achieved, but device complexity increases due to requiring opposite electrical potentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent grounds the second needle (electrical potential = 0V) and uses the electric field modifier to create the necessary field for oppositely charged droplet generation, eliminating the need for a second high voltage source with opposite polarity and simplifying the electrical configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electric field modifier as an intermediary component between the two needles, which modifies the electric field to enable coagulation-based neutralization without requiring complex opposite electrical potentials, thereby reducing device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively generates neutralized droplets that can be dried into nanoparticles, achieving stable and efficient production with reduced operational hazards, suitable for various applications including drug delivery and medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical potential 18 is applied to liquid 14, which forms liquid cone 20 at the tip of needle 12. A liquid jet 22 emerges from the tip of liquid cone 20 and breaks up into fine droplets. The droplets carry a high electric charge of the same polarity as the electric potential
Implementation Method 2
an electric field modifier connected to the first needle, the electric field modifier being configured to modify a generated electrical field produced by the applied voltage to generate a second spray of charged particles from the second needle
Implementation Method 3
Another technique to overcome these problems involves a coagulation-based neutralization, which involved two oppositely charged electrosprays, created by opposite electrical potentials
Implementation Method 4
The droplets carry a high electric charge of the same polarity as the electric potential (i.e. the droplets are positively charged if electric potential 18 is positive, and vice versa). Since the droplets have the same polarity of charge, they repel each other and spread out to form spray 24
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating sprays of charged droplets, and resulting nanoparticles, the device comprising a first needle connected to an electrical potential line to generate a first spray of charged particles from the first needle, and a second needle spaced apart from and facing the first needle, and connected to an electrical line configured to ground the second needle or to apply a voltage to the second needle that is the same polarity as the voltage applied to the first needle. The device also comprising an electric field modifier connected to the first needle, and configured to modify an electrical field to generate a second spray of charged particles from the second needle.