This video demonstrates what’s known as “vibration-induced droplet atomization” (VIDA). Basically, “a small liquid drop is placed on a thin metal diaphragm that is forced to vibrate by an attached piezoelectric transducer. The vibration induces capillary waves on the free surface of the drop that, upon attaining the critical conditions, begin to eject small droplets from the wave crests.
“Under certain forcing conditions, this ejection process can develop so rapidly that the entire drop seems to burst into a fine spray of droplets that move away from the diaphragm.”
More information here. Original story at io9.
Here’s the video:
