Electrospray

Introduction

Electrospray is a phenomenon that results from the application of an electric field to fluid contained in a small capillary. The driving electrostatic force incites the emission of droplets that cycle through phases of evaporation and coulombic explosion, ideally resulting in the formation of gas-phase ions or a very fine liquid aerosol. Though this technique has found widespread use in the area of mass spectrometry, it has also been documented to function in a wide range of other applications including industrial painting, particle deposition, and gene therapy.

This wide array of modern uses, however, belies the fact that the basic science behind electrospray is anything but new. Indeed, it can trace its origins all the way back to Lord Rayleigh's article, "On the equilibrium of liquid conducting masses charged with electricity" in 1882 ^[1].

How it Works

Making Electrospray a Reality

Material Requirements

Tools

Construction

Operation

Working and Innovating with Electrospray

References

1. Electrospray: Principles and Practice