Abstract CTS-9870015 R.E. Apfel, Yale University A novel apparatus for studying the behavior of clusters/arrays of drops/particles levitated by combined acoustic and electric fields is proposed. A cluster of droplets may be made to coalesed into larger drops, particle arrays may be arranged in layers, and other three-dimensional cluster configurations may be produced by varying the acoustic and electric field intensities. Individual droplets/particles will be probed by various techniques. Measurements on such configurations will provide fundamental information on drop evaporation, nucleation, clustering of charged and uncharged particles, combustion, cloud behavior and other phenomena. Particle shape and size distribution may be modified during experiments. The work will have relevance to cluster dynamics and particle/droplet interaction mechanisms, and practical application to spray, combustion, coating and atmospheric processes. ***
