Abstract: A nebuliser for nebulising liquid droplets includes a housing; at least one piezoelectric substrate accommodated within the housing and having a transducer surface upon which is located at least one electroacoustic transducer for generating acoustic wave energy within the substrate, and an opposing non-transducer surface; and a liquid supply system for supplying a liquid to at least one of the transducer and non-transducer surfaces. The liquid supply system includes a reservoir for accommodating the liquid, and at least one relatively rigid supply conduit in contact with the substrate for supplying the liquid from the reservoir to the substrate.

Abstract: A nebuliser for nebulising liquid droplets, including: a housing; at least one piezoelectric substrate (2) accommodated within the housing and having a transducer surface (2a) upon which is located at least one electroacoustic transducer (48) for generating acoustic wave energy within the at least one piezoelectric substrate (2), and an opposing non-transducer surface (2b); a liquid supply system for supplying a liquid to at least one of the transducer and non-transducer surfaces, the liquid supply system including a reservoir (3) for accommodating the liquid, and at least one relatively rigid supply conduit in contact with the at least one piezoelectric substrate (2) for supplying the liquid from the reservoir (3) to the at least one piezoelectric substrate (2); and a sensor for detecting a volume of liquid on the at least one piezoelectric substrate (2).

Abstract: A nebuliser for nebulising liquid droplets includes a housing; at least one piezoelectric substrate accommodated within the housing and having a transducer surface upon which is located at least one electroacoustic transducer for generating acoustic wave energy within the substrate, and an opposing non-transducer surface; and a liquid supply system for supplying a liquid to at least one of the transducer and non-transducer surfaces. The liquid supply system includes a reservoir for accommodating the liquid, and at least one relatively rigid supply conduit in contact with the substrate for supplying the liquid from the reservoir to the substrate.

Abstract: A capillary break-up extensional rheometry (Ca BER) instrument including: opposing plates between which a capillary fluid bridge can be formed; and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) actuator having a working surface located on one of the plates, wherein when the test fluid is applied to the working surface of the SAW actuator, and the SAW actuator is energised, a said liquid bridge of the test fluid is produced between the plates.