Transparent Piezo Microdroplet Ejection Nozzle for Nanoparticle Ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet equipment faces challenges in producing uniform droplets when ejecting ink containing nanoparticles or biomaterials, due to the difficulty in visualizing internal nozzle blockages and the need for a more affordable and versatile system capable of handling high viscosity inks.
Innovation Solution
A microdroplet ejection apparatus with a transparent ejection channel, adjustable piezoelectric actuators, and a design allowing various shapes and diameters, enabling visualization of internal flow and efficient ejection of ink with nanoparticles or biomaterials, using a piezoelectric element as a pressure source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If commercial inkjet equipment with thousands of nozzles is used, then printing capability is improved, but the inside of the equipment becomes invisible and difficult to diagnose
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet device is divided into modular components including a reservoir, nozzle assembly, and piezoelectric actuator. This segmentation allows the internal components to be visually accessible while maintaining printing functionality, enabling diagnosis of nanoparticle blockages without compromising productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs transparent or translucent materials for components that need to be observed, allowing visual detection of internal flow and nanoparticle accumulation. This transparency enables researchers to monitor droplet formation and identify blockages directly through the device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nanoparticles are mixed in the ink, then bottom-up fabrication capability is improved, but uniform droplet production becomes difficult due to nozzle blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric actuator provides dynamic pressure control to the ink reservoir, enabling precise adjustment of droplet ejection force. This dynamic control compensates for variations in nanoparticle suspension viscosity and prevents nozzle blockages, maintaining uniform droplet production for bottom-up fabrication applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of pressure parameters through the piezoelectric actuator to optimize droplet ejection for different nanoparticle suspensions. By changing pressure parameters, the system maintains consistent droplet size and uniformity even when ejecting high-viscosity ink containing nanoparticles.
3Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric element is used as pressure source, then droplet ejection control is improved, but handling high viscosity ink becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric actuator applies preliminary pressure to build up force in the ink reservoir before droplet ejection. This preliminary action accumulates sufficient pressure to overcome the high viscosity of nanoparticle-containing ink, enabling controlled droplet formation that would otherwise be impossible with standard pressure sources.
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 apparatus ensures uniform ejection of microdroplets, reduces production costs, and enhances the ability to handle high viscosity inks, providing a transparent and versatile solution for research and applications like bioprinting.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric DoD method, which is a method of applying pressure utilizing a piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A microdroplet ejection apparatus is provided, the apparatus including an inlet port through which a suspension is movable in one direction, a nozzle including a nozzle cover connected to the inlet port and formed of a transparent material, a nozzle body connected to the nozzle cover and configured to eject the suspension, and a nozzle base formed of a transparent material and provided on an opposite side of the nozzle cover with respect to the nozzle body, an outlet port connected to the nozzle cover and configured to emit the suspension remaining after the suspension is ejected from the nozzle from the suspension to an outside of the nozzle, and a piezo actuator attached to one surface of the nozzle cover or one surface of the nozzle base and driven so that the suspension ejects from the nozzle body by applying pressure to the attached surface.