Aqueous particle generation with a 3D printed nebulizer

Abstract. In this study, we describe the design and testing of a high output stability constant liquid feed nebulizer using the Venturi principle to generate liquid particles from solutions. This atomizer, the PRinted drOpleT Generator (PROTeGE) was manufactured using stereolithography (SLA) printing. Different concentrations of ammonium sulfate solutions were used to characterize the size and number concentration of the generated particles. A comparison of a 3D printed 0.5 mm orifice with a more dimensionally accurate and symmetric machined 0.5 mm brass orifice using the same ammonium sulfate solutions was also performed. PROTeGE is also shown to be capable of dispersing polystyrene latex spheres (PSLs) for calibration purposes. The particle number concentrations obtained in this study ranged from ~10 000 cm−3 for 0.75 micrometer to ~100 cm−3 for 5.0 micrometer PSL particles with a dependence on the concentration of the dispersed solution. PROTeGE is easy to manufacture and operate, low in maintenance, and cost-effective for laboratory and field generation of particles from aqueous media.