The atomiser is the heart of an electronic cigarette (or Personal Vaporiser as it's also known). The middle of the three component parts of most e-cigarettes, the atomiser sits in-between the cartridge and battery.

The job of an e-cigarette atomiser is to heat e liquid. This results in a cloud of vapour which can then be inhaled and exhaled in the same way as cigarette smoke.

When looking inside an e-cigarette atomiser, a metal mesh 'bridge' is usually visible. Electronic cigarettes are designed so that e-liquid contained in a cartridge comes into contact with this mesh.*

Through capilliary action, the mesh acts as a road along which e-liquid travels to a heating element buried deeper within the atomiser. Then, when an e-smoker draws on the e-cigarette, the battery supplies the power to heat the element which evaporates the e-liquid and results in a plume of vapour.

Depending on how heavily it's used and the care it receives, the lifespan of an e-cigarette atomiser could be anywhere between 14 and 60 days and sometimes well beyond. Most suppliers recommend atomisers are treated as consumables which will need replacing in time.

*A popular technique known as dripping is also an efficient means of delivering e liquid to an electronic cigarette atomiser.