Electrohydrodynamics of stationary cone-jet streaming

Abstract

We discover novel types of stationary cone-jet steams emitting from a nozzle of a syringe loaded with a conductive liquid. The predicted conejet-flow geometries are based on the analysis of the electrohydrodynamic equations including the surface current. The electric field and the flow velocity field inside the cone are calculated. It is shown that the electric current along the conical stream depends on the cone angle. The stable values of this angle are obtained based on the Onsager's principle of maximum entropy production. The characteristics of the jet that emits from the conical tip are also studied. The obtained results are relevant both for the electrospraying and electrospinning processes.