Patent ID: 8287101

Claim:
A method for forming drops comprising: providing a jetting module including: a nozzle plate, portions of the nozzle plate defining a nozzle; a thermal stimulation membrane including a plurality of pores and one or more heating elements; and an enclosure extending from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane, the enclosure defining a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane, the liquid chamber being in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores; providing liquid under pressure sufficient to cause the liquid to divide into a plurality of portions as the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane; each portion of the liquid flowing through a pore of the plurality of pores; jetting an individual stream of the liquid through the nozzle; and causing a liquid drop to break off from the individual stream of the liquid by applying a pulse of thermal energy to each portion of the liquid as each portion of the liquid flows through a respective one of the plurality of pores.