Grantee Research Project Results
Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis for Online Measurement of Inorganic Aerosols
EPA Contract Number: EPD05058Title: Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis for Online Measurement of Inorganic Aerosols
Investigators: Hering, Susanne
Small Business: Aerosol Dynamics Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: April 4, 2005 through June 30, 2006
Project Amount: $219,136
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2005) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Particulate Matter , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Air Quality and Air Toxics
Description:
A compact and affordable microchip-based system for the automated, in situ analysis of inorganic ions in atmospheric aerosols will be develop and verified against traditional, filter-based methods. Aerosol Dynamics, Inc., will combine two new technologies: (1) a growth tube impactor for particle collection, and (2) lab-on-a-chip (LOC) analysis of sulfates and nitrates.
The growth tube impactor enlarges individual airborne particles by water condensation in a laminar, thermally diffusive flow. Once encapsulated within a water droplet, particles with a diameter of 0.015 µM or larger are deposited directly onto a small reservoir on the LOC. The LOC utilizes capillary electrophoresis with embedded conductivity detection. Separation of sulfates and nitrates is achieved in less than 2 minutes, with detection limits of 1 µM.
The instrument will provide 5-minute time resolution for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sulfate and nitrate, with detection limits of 100 ng/m3 or better. The analyzer will be both quiet and compact. The pressure drop required for sampling is just 0.5 kPa, and thus pumping requirements are small. As such, it will be suitable for microenvironmental sampling in offices, homes, schools, and air monitoring stations. By providing a low-cost alternative to other continuous analyzers, widespread deployment will be encouraged.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, microchip capillary electrophoresis, inorganic aerosols, growth tube impactor, lab-on-a-chip, LOC, PM2.5, particulate matter, online measurement, 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, air sampling, monitoring stations, ambient aerosol, atmospheric chemistry, human exposure, air quality field measurements, modeling studies, air quality model, particulate matter mass, inorganic aerosols, 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 I:
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.