Grant: Engage Plus Grants Program

A nebulizer is a type of drug delivery device that provides medication in the form of an aerosol that can be*inhaled into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream. They are typically used to treat respiratory illnesses*such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and asthma. Nebulizers operate by taking a medication in*liquid form, transforming it into small aerosol droplets of a particular size, and delivering those droplets to the*mouth of the patient for inhalation. There are several different types of nebulizer, the most common of which is*the jet nebulizer, which will be studied during the proposed project. These operate through the use of a*high-speed jet of compressed gas, which entrains the liquid and converts it to an aerosol, typically by colliding*the liquid droplets with a baffle.*This project seeks to provide a better understanding of the operation of jet nebulizers from a fluid mechanics*perspective. To provide this understanding, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is being developed*and validated to model the flow patterns in the device, and their role in the formation and delivery of aerosol*particles. This will allow for optimization of nebulizer devices, which can lead to better utilization of the drug*and shorter treatment times for patients. This particular phase of the project is focused on validation of the CFD*model using experimental methods, and subsequent improvement of the model developed in the previous*phase. Ultimately, by improving the medical devices that treat respiratory illnesses, the patients' conditions can*be better managed, allowing them to lead better lives.