We develop acoustically driven microsystems: devices that use sound waves and vibrating microstructures to mix, split and eject very small volumes of liquid with precise control. We study how these structures interact with the fluids around them, and use that understanding to build devices and methods for medicine, materials science and scientific instruments.

Droplets and aerosols on demand Single droplets ejected with timing accurate to within 80 microseconds, and aerosols with adjustable droplet size, for inhaled drug delivery, printing and sample delivery to X-ray facilities.

Ultrafast mixing and materials synthesis Acoustic mixers and droplet reactors that homogenise liquids in milliseconds, used to make nanodrugs, protein nanoparticles, emulsions and perovskite nanocrystals of controlled size.

In situ and time-resolved measurement Microfluidic cells compatible with optical and X-ray spectroscopy, for following reactions, nucleation and growth as they happen.

Diagnostics and sensing Portable devices that lyse cells, separate plasma and detect bacteria in microlitre samples, and wearable sensors for physiological monitoring.

A current focus is bringing these capabilities together to observe and control fast chemical processes, such as how nanomaterials first form, as they happen.