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Size-Resolved Measurement of Ultrafine and Nanometer Particle Concentrations

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Contract: 1R43OH010515-01
Agency Tracking Number: R43OH010515
Amount: $147,943.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NIOSH
Solicitation Number: PA12-088
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2013
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
AEROSOL DYNAMICS INC. 935 GRAYSON ST.
BERKELEY, CA 94710-2640
United States
DUNS: 845314962
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 . .
 (510) 649-9360
 susanne@aerosol.us
Business Contact
 SUSANNE HERING
Phone: (510) 649-9360
Email: susanne@aerosol.us
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

ABSTRACT Size-Resolved Measurement of Ultrafine and Nanometer Particle Concentrations This proposal addresses the need to assess worker and community exposure to engineered nanomaterials and other ultrafine particles. The ultimate aim is the development ofa compact, battery powered instrument for size- and time-resolved measurement of ultrafine and nanometer particle number concentrations. To reach this goal, two novel technologies are used: (1) the opposed migration aerosol classifier developed at the California Institute of Technology, and (2) a self-sustaining laminar-flow water condensation particle counter being developed by our firm. Like the commonly-used scanning mobility particle size spectrometers, the opposed migration aerosol classifier uses electrical mobility classification, but its cross-flow geometry provides an inherently more compact instrument. The self-sustaining laminar-flow water condensation counter that serves as the detector has the same wide dynamic range of commercial counters, butdoes not require liquid fill reservoirs, and can be operated in any orientation. In contrast to the existing methods, our approach is inherently smaller and lighter. This Phase I project aims to show that it can be made to be unobtrusive, battery operableand suitable for personal monitoring. Specific objectives for this Phase I project are: 1) to demonstrate electrical mobility particle size classification spanning from 10 nm to 200 nm, with a resolution of 6 or more channels in less than 60s; 2) to demonstrate water-based condensation particle detection with at least 90% detection at 10 nm in an instrument that may be tipped, and that sustains 24-hr operation without the addition of water, 3) to construct an integrated mobility separator and detector module that is no more than 15 cm in any dimension; 4) to evaluate the accuracy, size resolution, and time response through tests with monodisperse aerosols and comparison under ambient conditions to a standard scanning mobility particle size spectrometer; and5) to evaluate the suitability to be packaged as a wearable particle-sizing detector based on measured performance, size, weight, and power of the sizing classification and detector module. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Size-Resolved Measurement of Ultrafine and Nanometer Particle Concentrations Occupational and community exposure to the nanoparticles associated with the production and use of engineered nanomaterials is a growing concern raised by the National Nanotechnology Initiative,by NIOHS and others. By combining two advanced technologies, one for particle sizing and one for particle detection, we will develop an instrument to monitor the size and concentration of these particles in an affordable, compact package. This work willprovide an important tool for occupational and community exposure assessment.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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