| Capillary jets can be found in many industrial applications such as 3D printing. In this project, we propose to examine the synchronization of a self-excited capillary jet so as to be able to better understand and control the droplet size distribution and the droplet formation rate. We will build a simple bench-top apparatus consisting of a small liquid tank (1L), computer-controlled syringe pump, capillary tubing, and a liquid catch tank. To induce synchronization, we will use a loudspeaker to acoustically force the jet at frequencies around its natural frequency, whilst measuring its response with high-speed imaging vial a CCT camera (1000 Hz). The collected data over a range of forcing frequencies and amplitudes and examine how the jet responds to the forcing using a range of forcing frequencies and amplitudes, and examine how the jet responds to the forcing using a range of mathematical tools from nonlinear dynamical theory. On completion this project will lead to a better understanding of the physics of synchronization in capillary jets, opening new opportunities for novel control strategies to be developed for such jets. |
