Surface-acoustic-wave driven point source atomizer integrated with picoliter micro pumps for polymeric nanoparticles synthesis

In this study, we report a surface acoustic wave (SAW) driven atomizer for polymeric nanoparticles synthesis based on evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). The atomizer consisted of a pair of arc-shaped interdigital transducer (AS-IDT) was designed for converging the SAW into a solvent. The atomizer can generate a point-source narrow mist spray and is very useful to improve the yield of nanoparticle synthesis. As a result of atomizing test with water, we succeeded in an ejection of narrow mist spray from a point on the substrate. The spray was 0.7 mm in width in the vicinity of the substrate, and kept less than 1 mm in width up to 8 mm in height. Also, the atomizer was integrated with SAW driven micro pumps to supply an appropriate amount of liquid at the mist spray ejection point. Using this pump, the discharge of water controlled in picoliter order was achieved.