Detection and measurement of carbon black in aerosol suspensions

The project aims to develop techniques that can accurately detect and measure carbon black concentrations in the atmosphere, in the smallest and least expensive possible manner. Particle matter and carbon black are some of the most important atmospheric pollutant, and are also important in number of manufacturing processes. Understanding the physics of how to measure particulate matter in an accurate and simple manner will pave the way to bring down the costs of these devices from tens of thousands to under a thousand pounds will enable cities and industrial sites to have a much better method for controlling nanoparticle formation, emission and transport.
The initial part of the project will consider the miniaturisation of photoacoustic spectroscopy for carbon black detection, using conventional and MEMS techniques. Pending the outcome of the preliminary calculations and tests, we will pursue the development of the prototype and proceed with calibration, or pursue an alternative technique currently under way in the lab, based on UV charging and electrostatic methods.
The research will have impacts in EPSRC's mission across aerosol fluid mechanics, nanoparticle and nanopowder detection, and combustion engineering.