Lead-free self-focused piezoelectric transducers for viscous liquid ejection

Kin Wing Kwok, S. F. Hon, Dunmin Lin

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Self-focused piezoelectric transducers using lead-free (K0.48Na0.48Li0.04)(Nb0.90Sb0.06Ta0.04)O3piezoelectric ceramic have been fabricated for ejecting viscous liquids in the drop-on-demand mode. The lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, with a dense structure and good piezoelectric properties (d33= 230 pC/N and kt= 0.56) are prepared by an ordinary sintering technique, and are used to fabricate the driving and focusing elements (Fresnel zone plates) for the transducers. The Fresnel zone plate is a piezoelectric plate patterned with a series of annular electrodes on its surfaces, and the generated acoustic waves are focused by constructive interference. Our results show that the acoustic waves are effectively self-focused in glycerin (with a viscosity of 1400 mPa s), giving a high pressure at the liquid surface to eject droplets without a nozzle. Driven by a simple wave train comprising a series of sinusoidal voltages with an amplitude of 35 V, a frequency of 4.20 MHz and a duration of 1 ms, the transducer can eject glycerin droplets in the drop-on-demand mode.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)168-171
Number of pages4
JournalSensors and Actuators, A: Physical
Volume168
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2011

Keywords

  • Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics
  • Liquid ejection
  • Self-focused transducer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Instrumentation
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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