Nozzle-Free Liquid Microjetting via Homogeneous Bubble Nucleation

Microscale fluid jets are used in applications ranging from inkjet printing to injection of high-potency drugs. Unfortunately, microscale nozzles tend to clog, especially when processing suspensions. In this work, the authors use nanosecond-long optical excitation of a carbon nanotube composite to produce high-speed liquid jets at a fluid interface, without the need for a nozzle. This optoacoustic approach is demonstrated to be effective for both high-resolution printing and injection into material mimicking human skin.