A printer is configured to provide a stream of extraction gas that extracts a printing fluid from a printing nozzle. An electrode produces an electric field that accelerates the extracted printing fluid toward a printing substrate. The printer can be configured to selectively turn the electric field and the stream of extraction gas off and on to enable printing in a gas-extraction mode, an e-assisted gas-extraction mode, or an e-jet mode. The stream of gas can be provided by a second nozzle concentric with the printing nozzle, and the electrode can be part of the second nozzle. A third nozzle can discharge a focusing gas around the extracted printing fluid.

A spray ionization device comprising: a first tube that has a first flow path through which a liquid can flow and a first outlet on one end thereof from which the liquid is sprayed; a second tube that surrounds the first tube with a gap therebetween, has a second flow path through which a gas can flow, and has a second outlet on the one end thereof; and an electrode that extends through the interior of the first flow path of the first tube, from the other end thereof to the one end, said electrode being arranged such that the tip thereof is at the same position as the first outlet or is further on the other end side than the first outlet, and said electrode being able to apply a voltage to the liquid by means of a power source connected to the electrode.

The present invention is directed to an electrostatic sprayer for applying disinfectants, agricultural production, pesticides, and other chemicals and liquid solutions. The electrostatic sprayer may be used for indoor and outdoor applications. The electrostatic sprayer provides a solution tank for holding a treatment solution, a base for holding and protecting the mechanical and electrical components, including a power supply, solution pump, and electrostatic generator, of the electrostatic sprayer, a supply hose, and a spray wand. The solution tank further includes input and exit filters to remove particles that may damage the solution pump of clog the spray wand. The spray wand includes spray nozzles with backflow valves and metering disks to control the flow of the treatment solution and close the valve when the treatment solution is not sufficiently pressurized to pass through the backflow valve to prevent leak when not in use. An electrostatic switch is also provided for selectively powering on the electrostatic generator. The electrostatic generator provides a positive charge to an electrode in the solution tank and a negative charge to a grounding strip in the handle of the spray wand providing a negative pathway through Earth to the objects being treated enhancing the electrical attraction of the treatment solution to those items. A grounding strap is also provided to be worn by the user to reduce the resistance in the path between the grounding strip and Earth by bypassing some of the user's clothing and protective gear that may provide resistance to the path.

An electrospray apparatus including a plurality of emitters, disposed on a substrate, wherein the plurality of emitters can have a narrow parameter distribution.

An electrostatic fluid delivery system is configured to deliver fluid, such as a disinfectant fluid, onto a surface by electrically charging the fluid and forming the fluid into a mist, fog, plume, or spray that can be directed onto a surface, such as a surface to be cleaned. The system atomizes the fluid using a high-pressure fluid stream and passes the fluid through an electrode of a nozzle assembly to charge droplets of the atomized fluid.

An electrostatic coating system including of a novel technique of height adjustment through pressure sensing and feedback mechanism in twin-phase air-assisted and forced-liquid flow based electrostatic nozzle(s). A variable height electrostatic edible coating system provides uniform and efficient coating to ensure shelf-life extension, improved nutritional value and enhanced sensory attribute.

An atomizer for applying a coating to a substrate includes a nozzle and at least one electrode. The nozzle defines a plurality of apertures. The nozzle includes a nozzle plate, a nozzle body, and an actuator. The nozzle plate defines the apertures. The nozzle body and an inner side of the nozzle plate define a reservoir in fluid communication with the first apertures. The actuator is configured to vibrate the nozzle plate to eject droplets of a liquid from the reservoir through the first apertures. The at least one electrode is configured to directly or indirectly electrostatically charge the droplets with a charge that repels the droplets from each other to reduce coalescence of the droplets before the droplets reach the substrate.

An electrostatic fluid delivery system is configured to deliver fluid, such as a disinfectant fluid, onto a surface by electrically charging the fluid and forming the fluid into a mist, fog, plume, or spray that can be directed onto a surface, such as a surface to be cleaned. The system atomizes the fluid using a high-pressure air stream and passes the fluid through an electrode inside a nozzle assembly to charge, such as negatively charge, droplets of the atomized fluid. The system uses a unique nozzle design that is configured to optimally atomize the fluid into various sized droplets.

An electrospray printing system that produces conformal films includes a printhead. A housing of the printhead includes a solution reservoir operable to receive a solution that includes a print material suspended in a solvent. An electrical potential is applied to the solution to produce an electrically charged solution that is emitted from the solution reservoir towards a target substrate. Electrostatic focusing is used to guide the print material to the target substrate.

Disclosed is an apparatus and associated method for tagging insects and arthropods. According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, an electrosprayer is provided including a nozzle cartridge, a spray chamber removably attached to the nozzle cartridge and a power supply operatively connected to the nozzle cartridge and a grounding plate within the spray chamber to electrically charge droplets expelled from the nozzle which coat one or more insects contained in the spray chamber.