Mobile Instrument Detects and Samples Aerosol Particles

摘要

Hazardous airborne particles pose a risk for health and safety in a variety of environments; thus, detection of these small particles is essential. Current particle magnification systems are bulky and require a lot of power for operation, making them unsuitable to easily detect and analyze small particles in mobile and personal settings.A space-saving, miniature (as small as 1 × 1 × 3") instrument was developed for the direct sampling and analysis of small particles (diameter < 300-400 nm). The system can effectively sample air at a rate of a few liters per minute, and concentrate the particulate matter into microliter or milliliter liquid samples.