# US 2021/0276327 A1 · Systems and methods for high fidelity aerosol jet printing via acoustic forces > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0276327 A1 - Document ID: US20210276327A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/195,300 - Filed: 2021-03-08 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-06 - Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park - Applicants: University of Maryland, College Park - Inventors: Tyler Ray; Daniel R. Hines - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210276327A1 ## CPC - B05B 14/10: the excess material being particulate (for spray booths B05B14/48) - B05B 17/0646: {Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto} - B05B 12/1418: {for supplying several liquids or other fluent materials in selected proportions to a single spray outlet (controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid G05D11/02)} - B05B 17/06: using ultrasonic {or other kinds of} vibrations - B05B 17/063: {having an internal channel for supplying the liquid or other fluent material} - B05B 17/0638: {spray being produced by discharging the liquid or other fluent material through a plate comprising a plurality of orifices} - B05B 17/0676: {Feeding means} - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract An aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for aerosol jet printing an aerosolized particle source configured to selectively provide aerosolized particles, a nozzle configured to deposit aerosolized particles on a substrate, an actuator configured to generate acoustic energy for migrating the particles, and a generator configured to selectively energize the actuator. The nozzle includes a proximal inlet configured for passage of aerosolized particles, a column configured to focus the aerosolized particles when vibrated by an actuator, and a distal opening configured for deposition of the particles on a substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for aerosol jet printing, the system comprising: an aerosolized particle source configured to selectively provide aerosolized particles; a nozzle configured to deposit aerosolized particles on a substrate, the nozzle including: a proximal inlet configured for passage of aerosolized microparticles; a column configured to focus the aerosolized particles when vibrated by an actuator; and a distal opening configured for deposition of the particles on a substrate; an actuator configured to generate acoustic energy for migrating the particles; and a generator configured to selectively energize the actuator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the distal opening includes a square, a rounded square, a rectangular, a rounded rectangle an oval, or a circular shaped cross-section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the column is in registration with the proximal inlet and the distal opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the column includes an outer surface configured for mounting of the actuator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the column tapers to the distal opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the column is made from a material that transfers acoustic energy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the column defines a channel, the channel being configured for the passage of the aerosolized particles. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the column is configured to transfer the acoustic energy of the actuator to the channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the channel is at least one of a half-wave, a quarter-wave, and/or an eighth-wave resonator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the channel includes a square, a rectangular, an oval, or a circular shaped cross-section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator vibrates the channel at or near a resonant frequency of the channel. ### Claim 12 A nozzle for aerosol jet printing, comprising: a proximal inlet configured for passage of aerosolized particles; a column configured to focus the aerosolized particles when vibrated by an actuator; and a distal opening configured for deposition of the particles on a substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The nozzle of claim 12, wherein the distal opening includes a rectangular, an oval, or a circular shaped cross-section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The nozzle of claim 12, wherein the column is in registration with the proximal inlet and the distal opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The nozzle of claim 12, wherein the column includes an outer surface configured for mounting of the actuator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The nozzle of claim 12, wherein the column tapers to the distal opening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The nozzle of claim 12, wherein the column is made from a material that transfers acoustic energy. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The nozzle of claim 12, wherein an inner surface of the column defines a channel, the channel is configured for the passage of the aerosolized particles. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The nozzle of claim 18, wherein the column is configured to transfer the acoustic energy of the actuator to the channel. ### Claim 20 A method for aerosol jet printing, the method comprising: aerosolizing particles with a fluid media; receiving the aerosolized particles in a proximal inlet of a nozzle, the proximal inlet configured for passage of aerosolized particles; and vibrating a column of the nozzle by an actuator at a resonant frequency of a channel of the column, wherein the aerosolized particles are vibrated in the channel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising focusing the aerosolized particles in the column based on the frequency of the acoustic energy. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising depositing the particles on a substrate via a distal opening of the column. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the vibrating of the column is performed by an actuator. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the actuator includes a piezo transducer. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the actuator vibrates the channel at or near a resonant frequency of the channel.