This review article summarizes the main results of recent fundamental research on the electrical charging of nanometer-sized aerosol particles (particle diameter below 10 nm, Knudsen number above about 15, kinetic regime). It covers topics of great relevance to aerosol processing and measurement, such as the effect of the presence of a number of ions on the surface of a nanoparticle on its elec...

The determination of the dose of inhaled aerosol particles in animal subjects is not a trivial exercise. In its simplest form, the dose is the amount (particle number, mass or other relevant metric) that deposits in the respiratory tract. The amount deposited will depend on the aerosol particle sizes (e.g. the aerodynamic diameter size distribution), the duration of exposure, the exposure syste...

BACKGROUND The literature lacks comparative data on nebulizer aerosol delivered via mask versus T-piece, to spontaneously breathing pediatric subjects. PURPOSE To compare total inhaled drug mass delivered via standard pediatric aerosol mask versus via T-piece, with increasing distance. METHODS We used a sample of 5 nebulizers, operated under manufacturers' conditions, with a standard pediat...

Aerosols affect the climate system by changing cloud characteristics. Using the global climate model ECHAM5-HAM, we investigate different aerosol effects on mixed-phase clouds: The glaciation effect, which refers to a more frequent glaciation due to anthropogenic aerosols, versus the de-activation effect, which suggests that ice nuclei become less effective because of an anthropogenic sulfate c...

Quantitative Analysis of Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Data using YAADA Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (ATOFMS) instruments have been used to measure the size and composition of single aerosol particles in California. ATOFMS data are not direct quantitative measurements of aerosol composition because the instruments exhibit non-linear response to aerosol concentration, part...

An understanding of the gas/particle-phase partitioning of semivolatile compounds is critical in determining atmospheric aerosol formation processes and growth rates, which in turn affect global climate and human health. The Study of Organic Aerosol at Riverside 2005 campaign was performed to gain a better understanding of the factors responsible for aerosol formation and growth in Riverside, C...

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a method for measuring the vapor pressure distribution and volatility-dependent mass spectrum of organic aerosol particles using a thermodenuder-particle beam mass spectrometer. The method is well suited for use with the widely used Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) and other quantitative aerosol mass spectrometers. The data that can...

BACKGROUND While it is generally accepted that inertial impaction will lead to particle loss as aerosol is being carried into the pulmonary airways, most predictive aerosol deposition models adopt the hypothesis that the inhaled particles that remain airborne will distribute according to the gas flow distribution between airways downstream. METHODS Using a 3D printed cast of human airways, we...

Aerosol synthesis methods for the production of nanostructured fullerene particles have been developed. The nanostructured, ultrafine fullerene particles were produced by vapor condensation and aerosol droplet drying and crystallization methods in tubular laminar flow reactors. The formation mechanisms were studied by measuring particle-size distributions is the gas phase. High-resolution scann...

The small size and mass of the LOAC instrument, as well as its wide detection range for the particle size distribution and potential to distinguish particle nature makes it a highly attractive instrument for volcanology applications. Measurements of the volcanic aerosol emission are challenging due to the difficult-to-access terrain, and can be hazardous during eruptions. The lightweight LOAC o...