Grantee Research Project Results
Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis for Online Measurement of Inorganic Aerosols
EPA Contract Number: EPD04012Title: Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis for Online Measurement of Inorganic Aerosols
Investigators: Hering, Susanne
Small Business: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Particulate Matter , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Air Quality and Air Toxics
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified the need for continuous monitors that can operate unattended and provide real-time data on the concentration of the major chemical components of PM2.5, defined as particles with diameters of less than 2.5 µm. The chemical composition of fine airborne particles is needed to identify sources, understand formation mechanisms, and further elucidate exposures and health effects. Aerosol Dynamics, Inc., proposes a compact, inexpensive, and sensitive instrument using capillary electrophoresis (CE) mounted on a microchip. Ambient particles are deposited directly on the CE chip by means of humidification, growth, and impaction.
Ambient particles are extracted directly in a small aqueous volume for the in situ CE analyses of particle-bound inorganic ions. Both cations and anions will be determined. This "laboratory on a chip" technique will provide online, time-resolved quantification of a suite of PM2.5 inorganic ions found in ambient aerosol. This approach will provide a 5-minute time resolution for ions with detection limits of 10 ng/m3 or better. Commercial applications include monitoring in homes, schools, and offices in addition to central monitoring sites. The CE technique is inherently far more cost-effective than current approaches.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, microchip, capillary electrophoresis, CE, inorganic aerosol, continuous monitoring, PM2.5, ions, cations, anions, laboratory on a chip, EPA., RESEARCH, RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Air, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, particulate matter, Air Quality, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Analytical Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Monitoring, State of Matter, Monitoring, aerosol, chemical characteristics, gas chromatography, particle size, air sampling, monitoring stations, ambient aerosol, atmospheric chemistry, human exposure, air quality field measurements, modeling studies, air quality model, particulate matter mass, aerosol analyzers, air quality models, chemical speciation sampling, continuous emissions monitoring, ambient air pollution, atmospheric aerosols, microchip capillary electrophoresis, human health effects, atmospheric measurements, modeling, capillary electrophoresis, emissions measurementProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis for Online Measurement of Inorganic Aerosols | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.