2020 Volume 37 Issue 2 Pages 370203-
We aim to conduct the feasibility study for the contactless droplet transportation via an ultrasonic phased array system. Developed ultrasonic phased array system enables us to successfully levitate the 2 cSt silicone oil droplets in mid-air. The sound pressure field was simulated and the simulation results well predicted the sound pressure fields. Hereafter, the transportation of droplets was carried out by varying the speed of the focal point of sound. For lower transportation speeds of 50, 80, and 160 mm/s, the droplets were successfully transported due to the balance between the inertia force and the restoring force by the pressure gradient generated with sound pressure field acting on the droplets. Our experimental results demonstrated the contactless droplet transportation by the ultrasonic phased array system.
