A portable humidifier and a method of using the same. The portable humidifier has a frame; a fluid droplet generator on the frame; and a fluid containment unit for a supply of fluid. The fluid droplet generator is operable to cause fluid droplets generated from fluid from the supply in the fluid containment unit to become entrained in environmental air in a space in which the portable humidifier is located. The fluid containment unit has a wall structure that is selectively reconfigurable to occupy different surrounding volumes.

An aerosol-generating system includes an aerosol-generating device and at least two consumables. Each consumable includes an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device further includes a device housing comprising at least two receiving chambers, wherein each consumable is accommodated in a separate receiving chamber of the at least two receiving chambers. The aerosol-generating device further includes at least two mouthpieces, wherein each mouthpiece of the at least two mouthpieces is aligned with a separate consumable of the at least two consumables and wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to isolate airflows through separate, respective mouthpieces of the at least two mouthpieces.

Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispersing a dispersed phase in a medium comprise a rotating surface for receiving the medium and an atomizing apparatus positioned at the rotating surface for depositing aerosolized constituents of the dispersed phase into the medium. The medium is made receptive and the dispersed phase is aerosolized. Constituents of the aerosolized dispersed phase are deposited into the receptive medium to form a compound or composite. The medium may be deposited onto a rotating disk, and the dispersed phase may be sprayed onto the disk. A thin film can be generated on the disk to transfer, distribute, and disperse the dispersed phase. Liquid ligaments formed at the edge of the rotating disk further transfer, distribute, and disperse the dispersed phase into the medium. Ligaments may be broken into aerosols or deformed by attenuation/drawing to further promote transfer, distribution, and dispersion. A bulk composite/compound may be collected.

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic vaporizer, an aerosol delivery device that may include such vaporizer, and methods for forming an aerosol. A microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a substrate that defines: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillary channel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater. An aerosol delivery device can comprise a shell and a microfluidic vaporizer. The microfluidic vaporizer and aerosol delivery device can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.

A portable humidifier and a method of using the same. The portable humidifier has a frame; a fluid droplet generator on the frame; and a fluid containment unit for a supply of fluid. The fluid droplet generator is operable to cause fluid droplets generated from fluid from the supply in the fluid containment unit to become entrained in environmental air in a space in which the portable humidifier is located. The fluid containment unit has a wall structure that is selectively reconfigurable to occupy different surrounding volumes.

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic vaporizer, an aerosol delivery device that may include such vaporizer, and methods for forming an aerosol. A microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a substrate that defines: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillary channel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater. An aerosol delivery device can comprise a shell and a microfluidic vaporizer. The microfluidic vaporizer and aerosol delivery device can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.

An aerosol-generating system includes an aerosol-generating device and at least two consumables. Each consumable includes an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device further includes a device housing comprising at least two receiving chambers, wherein each consumable is accommodated in a separate receiving chamber of the at least two receiving chambers. The aerosol-generating device further includes at least two mouthpieces, wherein each mouthpiece of the at least two mouthpieces is aligned with a separate consumable of the at least two consumables and wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to isolate airflows through separate, respective mouthpieces of the at least two mouthpieces.

A method that can efficiently dissolve a water-soluble component contained in a gas with smaller energy consumption is provided. A mist is produced from a liquid. The mist and carrier air is mixed to produce mist-containing air. A solution gas and the mist-containing air are supplied to a static mixer. The solution gas and the mist-containing are mixed by using the static mixer. The liquid mist is brought in contact with the solution gas to dissolve a water-soluble component that is contained in the solution gas into the liquid mist. The liquid mist that contains the water-soluble component dissolved aggregates and produces a solution that contains the water-soluble component dissolved.

A method that can efficiently dissolve a water-soluble component contained in a gas with smaller energy consumption is provided. A mist is produced from a liquid. The mist and carrier air is mixed to produce mist-containing air. A solution gas and the mist-containing air are supplied to a static mixer. The solution gas and the mist-containing are mixed by using the static mixer. The liquid mist is brought in contact with the solution gas to dissolve a water-soluble component that is contained in the solution gas into the liquid mist. The liquid mist that contains the water-soluble component dissolved aggregates and produces a solution that contains the water-soluble component dissolved.

Atomizers and methods for operating atomizers for dispersing vapor into the ambient air are disclosed. Liquid from a vessel connected to the atomizer may be pumped to a first chamber having an atomizing element at or near the bottom of the first chamber. The atomizing element may convert the liquid to a vapor, and a fan may push air into the first chamber, causing the vapor to be dispersed into the ambient air through apertures at or near the top of the first chamber. Liquid remaining in the first chamber may be pumped back to the vessel, while the fan continues to run to dry the components in the first chamber.