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.