Date of Award

May 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor

Ryan Striker

Abstract

Vibrating-mesh nebulizers are widely used for aerosol drug delivery because they can generate fine droplets with relatively low power consumption and quiet operation. However, the performance of these devices depends strongly on the interaction between piezoelectric mesh geometry, driver circuit characteristics, and mechanical assembly design. Limited publicly available information exists on the relationship between mesh structure, excitation waveform, and aerosol output performance due to proprietary device designs.This study investigates structural, electrical, and mechanical factors influencing vibrating-mesh nebulizer performance. Piezo plates from different manufacturers were analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscopy imaging to characterize mesh geometry, and these features were correlated with electrical behavior and aerosol output. Driver electronics were evaluated using both a programmable nebulizer reference design and a commercially available driver board. Electrical waveforms, resonance behavior, and power consumption were analyzed across different piezo plates. Flow-rate measurements and waveform analysis showed that excitation waveform, mesh geometry, sealing methods, and bubble formation significantly influence aerosol stability and efficiency. These findings provide practical insights for improving driver design, mechanical assembly, and overall performance consistency in vibrating-mesh nebulizer systems. In addition, this work presents an integrated multi-domain framework linking waveform, mesh geometry, mechanical assembly, and aerosol output behavior.

Download

Available for download on Friday, June 01, 2035

Share

COinS