Abstract: A liquid droplet discharging piezoelectric device 1 provided with a cavity member 11 with a built-in cavity 3; an introduction member 13 having introduction channel 5 connecting with the cavity 3; and a nozzle member 12 having nozzle channel 4 connecting with the cavity 3 on a side opposite to the channel 5. This liquid droplet discharging piezoelectric device 1 is provided with an introduction port 6, attached to the introduction member 13, capable of introducing a liquid into the cavity 3 via the introduction channel 5, and a discharge port 7, attached to the nozzle member 12, capable of discharging as droplets a liquid filled in the cavity 3 via the nozzle channel 40. Even in a case where an amount of liquid droplets is of a nanoliter (nl) order, excellent stability and reproducibility are attained, and the unit can stably be operated when attached to an apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid droplet discharging piezoelectric device 1 provided with a cavity member 11 with a built-in cavity 3; an introduction member 13 having introduction channel 5 connecting with the cavity 3; and a nozzle member 12 having nozzle channel 4 connecting with the cavity 3 on a side opposite to the channel 5. This liquid droplet discharging piezoelectric device 1 is provided with an introduction port 6, attached to the introduction member 13, capable of introducing a liquid into the cavity 3 via the introduction channel 5, and a discharge port 7, attached to the nozzle member 12, capable of discharging as droplets a liquid filled in the cavity 3 via the nozzle channel 40. Even in a case where an amount of liquid droplets is of a nanoliter (nl) order, excellent stability and reproducibility are attained, and the unit can stably be operated when attached to an apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection method and apparatus comprising a base member and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element. The interior of the base member includes a pressurizing chamber and an ejection opening. When the interval from the last pressurizing operation to the current pressurizing operation exceeds a predetermined time, applied voltage to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is increased at a first increase rate so that liquid within the pressurizing chamber is pressurized for ejection at a first pressurizing increase rate. When the interval from the last pressurizing operation to the current pressurizing operation is shorter than the predetermined time, the applied voltage is increased at a second increase rate smaller than the first increase rate so that the liquid is pressurized for ejection at a second pressurizing rate which is relatively small. This ensures proper pressurization of a liquid whose viscosity increases over time, achieving proper ejections.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection apparatus for use in the present liquid droplet ejecting method comprises a base member 30 and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element 41, the interior of the base member being provided with a pressurizing chamber 30b and an ejection opening 30d. When the interval from the last pressurizing operation to the current pressurizing operation is longer than a predetermined time, applied voltage to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is increased at a first voltage increase rate so that liquid within the pressurizing chamber is pressurized for ejection at a first pressurizing increase rate. When the interval from the last pressurizing operation to the current pressurizing operation is shorter than the predetermined time, the applied voltage is increased at a second voltage increase rate which is smaller than the first voltage increase rate so that the liquid is pressurized for ejection at a second pressurizing rate which is relatively small.