Experimental investigation and theoretical prediction of droplet breakup under a combined electric field and shear flow field

Hao, Guanqiu; Yu, Wei; Lv, Le; Liu, Xiangdong; Zhang, Liang-Liang

doi:10.1016/j.ces.2024.119738

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 47 publications

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“…In the realm of microfluidic technologies, electric field-controlled methods have gained popularity for their precision and eco-friendliness in generating microdroplets. − The interaction between an electric field and the surface charges (including polarized and free charges) induced by the differences in electrical properties between the continuous and dispersed phases plays a crucial role. , This interaction generates additional electrical forces, known as Maxwell stresses, at the fluid interface. Appropriately distributing the electric field within microfluidic devices can harness these Maxwell stresses to promote interface instability, facilitating the breakup of droplets from the dispersed phase .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drop-On-Demand Microdroplet Generation under Charge Injection by Corona Discharge

Tang,

Song,

Wang

et al. 2024

Langmuir

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In printing, microreactors, and bioassays, the precise control of micrometer-scale droplet generation is essential but challenging, often restricted by the equipment and nozzles used in traditional methods. We introduce a needle-plate electrode corona discharge technique that injects charges into an oil layer, enabling the precise manipulation of droplet polarization and splitting. This method allows for meticulous adjustment of microdroplet formation regarding location, size, and quantity by modulating the discharge voltage, discharge time, and electrode positioning. It enables the immediate initiation and cessation of droplet production, thereby facilitating on-demand droplet generation. Our study on the voltage-dependent droplet stretch coefficient shows that as the voltage increases, the droplets transition from controlled splitting to regular Taylor cone-like ejections, eventually reaching the Rayleigh limit and fully breaking apart. These advancements significantly improve microfluidic droplet manipulation, offering considerable benefits for applications in targeted drug delivery, rapid disease diagnostics, and precise environmental monitoring.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drop-On-Demand Microdroplet Generation under Charge Injection by Corona Discharge

Tang,

Song,

Wang

et al. 2024

Langmuir

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Droplet electrohydrodynamic deformation in a shear flow field

Hao,

Lv,

et al. 2024

Physics of Fluids

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The electrohydrodynamic deformation characteristics of a leaky dielectric droplet in combined shear flow field (SFF) and electric field (EF) are investigated by a three-dimensional numerical simulation. Based on the investigation, the cooperation and competition of the two fields on the droplet electrohydrodynamic deformation degree D and orientation angle ϕd are revealed. The influences of SFF strength, EF strength, viscosity, electrophysical parameters, and confinement degree on the droplet deformation morphologies are analyzed. Particularly, theoretical prediction models for droplet electrohydrodynamic deformation and rotation with consideration of domain confinement are proposed. It is found that the two fields collaborate with each other in promoting droplet deformation while they are competing or cooperating with each other in rotating the droplet when Ω > 0 and Ω < 0 (Ω is Taylor's deformation characteristic function). In addition, for a given condition, with increasing conductivity ratio R, the effect of permittivity ratio S turns to diminish and the droplet steady-state D and ϕd converge to a constant. Otherwise, a larger permittivity ratio S leads to a larger D and a smaller ϕd, respectively. The domain confinement promotes D when Ω > 0, while it first reduces D and then promotes it when Ω < 0. For the droplet orientation, the droplet is rotated to the EF direction with the increasing confinement degree when R < S, while it is rotated to the direction perpendicular to the EF when R > S. Furthermore, theoretical prediction models for droplet deformation and rotation with consideration of domain confinement are proposed, which are proved to be accurate and reliable based on the current simulation results and available data.

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Experimental investigation and theoretical prediction of droplet breakup under a combined electric field and shear flow field

Cited by 2 publications

References 47 publications

Drop-On-Demand Microdroplet Generation under Charge Injection by Corona Discharge

Drop-On-Demand Microdroplet Generation under Charge Injection by Corona Discharge

Droplet electrohydrodynamic deformation in a shear flow field

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