Resuspension of infectious particle: Detachment of an artificial saliva droplet from a plastic substrate

Abstract

This paper experimentally studied the detachment of an artificial saliva droplet from a plastic substrate. Monodisperse glycerol droplets in micron sizes were generated and deposited on the substrates. The adhesive force between the droplets and the substrates was determined by using the centrifugal method. Normal removal force was applied to the droplets by a centrifuge and the force distributions of droplets of different sizes were obtained. Large droplets were detached from the substrate at a lower rotational speed than the smaller droplets. Unlike solid particles, larger droplets may split into smaller portions during detachment. Some portions were detached and the remaining formed smaller droplets on the substrate. The volume fraction resuspended against removal forces was determined. This study provides a basis for the prediction of the infection risk of disease transmission by airborne route which increases with the volume of infectious particles resuspended.