Abstract: Spherical particles having a size on the order of 0.1 to 100 microns in size are created by systems and devices of several types. The device includes a source of a stream of gas which is forced through a liquid held under pressure in a pressure chamber with an exit opening therein. The stream of gas surrounded by the liquid in the pressure chamber flows out of an exit orifice of the chamber into a liquid thereby creating a monodispersion of bubbles with substantially uniform diameter. The bubbles are small in size and produced with a relatively small amount of energy relative to comparable systems. Small particles of liquid may also be produced. Applications of the technology range from oxygenating sewage with monodispersions of bubbles to inhalation therapy with monodisperse aerosol dispersions of pharmaceutically active drugs.

Abstract: Atomized particles within a desired size range (e.g., 1 micron to about 5 microns) are produced from two immiscible fluids, the first a fuel source containing the formulation to be atomized, and a second fluid source which is contained in a pressure chamber surrounding at least the area where the first liquid is to be provided. The invention provides a method for the formation of small, relatively uniform fuel particles for use in internal combustion engines and a nozzle-type apparatus for providing the particles to a combustion chamber.

Abstract: Atomized particles within a desired size range (e.g., 1 micron to about 5 microns) are produced from two immiscible fluids, a first fluid source containing the formulation to be atomized, and a second fluid source which is contained in a pressure chamber surrounding at least the area where the first liquid is to be provided. The invention provides methods for: the production of templates for microfabrication, such as particles that serve as templates for self-assembly of monolayers; the creation of small particles to serve as building blocks for the microassembly of objects; and the use of an atomizate to etch configurations and/or patterns onto the surface of an object by removing a selected portion of the surface.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a liquid atomization procedure that uses appropriate geometric parameters and physical properties to ensure that the liquid to be atomized is discharged as a continuous, steady capillary microjet through a suitable orifice. The procedure relies on the microwithdrawal effect undergone by a liquid-gas interface when the gas is withdrawn from a point (orifice) near the liquid surface. The invented procedure is applicable to any mechanism involving homogeneous atomization of liquids (particularly electronic fuel injection).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a stable capillary microjet and a monodisperse aerosol formed when the microjet dissociates. A variety of devices and methods are disclosed which allow for the formation of a stream of a first fluid (e.g. a liquid) characterized by forming a stable capillary microjet over a portion of the stream wherein the microjet portion of the stream is formed by a second fluid (e.g. a gas). The second fluid is preferably in a different state from the first fluid--liquid-gas or gas-liquid combinations. However, the first and second fluids may be two different fluids in miscible in each other. The stable capillary microjet comprises a diameter d.sub.j at a given point A in the stream characterized by the formula: ##EQU1## wherein d.sub.j is the diameter of the stable microjet, = indicates approximately equally to where an acceptable margin of error is .+-.10%, .rho..sub.1 is the density of the liquid and .DELTA.P.sub.g is change in gas pressure of gas surrounding the stream at the point A.