Splish, Splash: Understanding Droplet Impact to Reduce Splashback
Droplet impact is a common phenomenon that occurs in various situations, such as in rainfall, inkjet printing, crop-spraying, and needle-free injections. Understanding and predicting whether a droplet will splash or penetrate the substrate upon impact is critical in many fields, including medicine, agriculture and inkjet printing. In this seminar, I will present experimental results obtained through high-speed imaging and image analysis, showcasing our research on droplet impact behaviour and control.
In the first part of the talk, I will present our investigation of droplet splashing on different substrates with varying wetting properties. Furthermore, I will show how droplet impact can be controlled through electric fields.
In the second part of the talk, I will delve into our research on needle-free injections using microfluidic jets. We have explored how the characteristics of the microfluidic jet and the substrate's shear modulus can impact injection behaviour, with the goal of optimizing injections and reducing splashing while maintaining controlled injection depth. Our work has significant potential for improving the safety and efficacy of medical injections, especially for patients with needle phobias.
Overall, this seminar will provide valuable insights into droplet impact behaviour and control, as well as the latest advancements in needle-free injection technology.