An ultrasonic injection device and methods of use are presented. The ultrasonic injection device comprises a housing, an injection nozzle attached to the housing, an ultrasonic vibration generator attached to the housing, and a pressure applicator. The injection nozzle has a number of openings configured to dispense a fluid. The ultrasonic vibration generator is configured to apply ultrasonic energy to fluid within the injection nozzle. The pressure application is configured to propel the fluid towards and out of the number of openings.

A device or system is provided that provides olfactory stimuli, and includes a piezoelectric vibration device that is used to produce scents corresponding to actions performed in a VR or AR environment, or other application. In some implementations, a user interacts with one or more game elements within a game program being executed by a game engine, and responsive to the interaction, the game engine may communicate a series of commands that cause a piezoelectric device of the device to generate scents to be experienced by the user.

A handheld misting device includes a sonic generator, a power source coupled to the sonic generator, at least one reservoir containing a first liquid, and a conduit from the at least one reservoir. The sonic generator includes a converter and an elongate horn comprising a first horn section coupled to the converter and a second horn section physically connected to and removable from the first horn section. Sonic energy delivered to the first horn section is conducted to the second horn section. The conduit transports liquid from the at least one reservoir to the second horn section to a delivery opening distal the first horn section.

A method of manufacturing an optical article (10) includes supplying a first coating composition (A) and supplying one or more additional coating compositions (B) to an ultrasonic discharge nozzle (102) of a coating apparatus (100). At least one of the first coating composition (A) and the one or more additional coating compositions (B) is a photochromic coating composition. The method includes mixing the first coating composition and the one or more additional coating compositions at the ultrasonic discharge nozzle (102) of the coating apparatus (100), and applying the mixture (C) of the first coating composition (A) and the one or more additional coating compositions (B) to at least a portion of the optical article (10) so as to provide a pattern (24) on the optical article upon exposure to actinic radiation. The mixture (C) of the first coating composition (A) and the one or more additional coating compositions (B) is applied from the ultrasonic discharge nozzle (102) as a controlled, predetermined pattern of atomized droplets.

An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.

A method of controlling application of material onto a substrate is provided. The method includes ejecting an ultraviolet (UV) curable material through a plurality of micro-applicators in the form of atomized droplets. At least one UV light source is positioned adjacent to the plurality of micro-applicators and the atomized droplets are irradiated with UV light by the at least one UV light source and curing of the atomized droplets is initiated. The atomized droplets are deposited onto a surface of the substrate and a UV cured coating on the surface is formed thereon. The UV curable material may include a photolatent base catalyst such that the atomized droplets deposited onto the surface continue to cure after being irradiated with the at least one UV light source. The at least one UV light source can include a UV light ring, a UV light emitting diode, and the like.

An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.

A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.

A method of controlling application of material onto a substrate includes ejecting atomized droplets from an array of micro-applicators while the array of micro-applicators cyclically moves about at least one axis. The atomized droplets from each of the plurality of micro-applicators overlap with atomized droplets from adjacent micro-applicators and a diffuse overlap of deposited atomized droplets from adjacent micro-applicators is provided on a surface of the substrate. The array of micro-applicators cyclically rotates back and forth around the at least one axis and/or moves back and forth parallel to the at least one axis. For example, the at least one axis can be a central axis of the array of micro-applicators, a length axis of the array of micro-applicators, a width axis of the array of micro-applicators, and the like. Also, the array of micro-applicators can be part of an ultrasonic material applicator used to paint vehicles.

A method of controlling application of at least one material to a substrate is provided. The method includes configuring at least one array having a plurality of micro-applicators such that a subset of the micro-applicators is individually addressable to apply the at least one material to the substrate. Individually addressing the subset of micro-applicators provides control of a pattern width of a coating applied to a substrate, control of a flow rate of the material applied to the substrate, control of an angle of application of the material to the substrate, control of which and how many materials are applied to the substrate, and combinations thereof.