What is an Ultrasonic Fogger?

An ultrasonic fogger is a device that uses ultrasonic sound waves to break water into millions of individual water droplets that are then sprayed into the air as a thick fog. Ultrasonic foggers are most often used for Halloween decorations as a dry ice replacement. The fog that an ultrasonic fogger produces is not created through a boiling process and does not involve heat of any kind. Because of this, the fog is cold and slightly wet but poses no threat to the user.

How does an Ultrasonic Fogger Work?

An ultrasonic fogger is a relatively small device and consists of a plastic shell, built-in AC/DC adapter, and a metallic ultrasonic transducer plate. The fogger itself is placed under one to four inches of water and a built-in sensor detects its presence and activates the ultrasonic transducer plate. The ultrasonic transducer then vibrates rapidly at ultrasonic speeds and causes water molecules to break apart into individual droplets. These droplets are instantly vaporized into the air, resulting in a thick, cold fog.

Current Applications

While ultrasonic foggers are most often used as Halloween decorations, they are also used in many other applications. For example, ultrasonic foggers are often used in aeroponics to supply gardens and greenhouses with artificial humidity and deliver nutrients to plant roots in order to speed up the growth process. They are also used in aquariums and other artificial habitats to simulate the natural mist of tropical rain forests. The elderly and people with breathing problems such as COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema can also use ultrasonic foggers to create ideal humidity levels.

Advantages and Disadvantages

For the most part, ultrasonic foggers vaporize water safely, reliably, and effectively. However, ultrasonic foggers vaporize anything that is in the water. This means that any chemicals, viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens that are in the water will be sprayed into the air with the water and the user or other people near the device can breathe it in. Because of this, it is important to keep the water tank clean at all times. Ideally, the user should also be using purified water in any ultrasonic fogger system.

Competing Technologies

While ultrasonic foggers are often categorized as an alternative fogger technology, they are currently the most widely used system for vaporizing water and nutrients due to their efficiency and ease of use. However, there are other systems available that do the same thing through other means. Atomizers, for example, draw water through a small hose and spray it out of a nozzle in a fine mist. This mist, however, is not as good as the fog that an ultrasonic fogger produces and has much larger water droplets.