Jet instability and atomization of electrified liquid under the vibration control

Electrostatic atomization is renowned for its ability to generate fine droplets, yet its practical application is often hindered by complex electrohydrodynamic instabilities and unpredictable jet morphologies. To address these limitations, this study introduces an active control strategy employing a ceramic actuator to impose controlled vibrations on the jet. The findings indicate that such vibrations significantly alter the transition thresholds and stability of different jet modes. Specifically, in the whipping mode, the length of the stable jet segment decreases progressively with increasing vibration amplitude and frequency. Moreover, this approach achieves a notable reduction in droplet size, over 30% smaller than in conventional electrostatic atomization. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing jet morphology and enhancing atomization efficiency.