Apparatus for anisotropic focusing

A material deposition assembly comprising:

• a sheath gas plenum;
• at least one aerosol channel comprising a rectangular opening, said channel disposed concentrically within and surrounded by said sheath gas plenum;
• a convergence zone wherein a sheath gas forms a combined stream comprising an outer annular sheath flow and an inner aerosol-laden carrier flow by directly surrounding and focusing an aerosol exiting said opening;
• a nozzle comprising a rectangular cross section for transporting the combined stream;
• a first cover plate and a second cover plate, either or both of said cover plates comprising an inlet for an aerosol comprising a material and one or more sheath gas inlets;
• and
• an insert sealed between said cover plates, said insert comprising said at least one aerosol channel, said at least one aerosol channel in fluid connection with said aerosol inlet and said nozzle;
• wherein said one or more sheath gas inlets are in fluid connection with said sheath gas plenum, said sheath gas plenum enclosing an exit of said at least one aerosol channel and an entrance of said nozzle;
• and
• wherein said insert comprises two mirror imaged plates which when assembled together form said at least one aerosol channel and said nozzle.