Effect of Physical Properties on the Oscillation of Acoustically Levitated Droplet

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, 38156-8-8349, Arak, Iran

2 Senior member of IEEE, School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Australia

Abstract

Acoustic levitation is the only method capable of suspending samples with different material properties and geometries, even in the liquid phase. Despite its widespread applications, droplet levitation still has a challenge in controlling its position due to initial oscillations before reaching stability. This research investigates the effects of droplet physical properties, such as viscosity, radius, and density, on droplet oscillation amplitude. For this purpose, some numerical simulations that can apply the effect of the mentioned properties with acceptable accuracy and precision results were done using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1 commercial software. The unique feature of using the simulation is the ability to study the effect of each parameter independently from the rest of the properties, which is not possible in experimental tests directly. The results emphasize the direct influence of viscosity on droplet oscillation amplitude. Also, it is demonstrated that elevated viscosity leads to a decrease in droplet oscillation amplitude. In addition, increasing the density because of the added weight decreases the droplet amplitude. The droplet radius effect is more complicated because it is associated with two opposite effects. Increased droplet radius has the same effect as viscosity because of weight addition. On the other hand, a larger droplet's radius enlarges the cross-section and leads to a weak increase in droplet amplitude.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 August 2024
  • Receive Date: 17 May 2024
  • Revise Date: 07 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 08 August 2024