The use of microfluidic technology for collection and detection of atmospheric ice-nucleating particles

The formation of ice in clouds can have a large impact on the climate system by modulating cloud radiative properties, reducing cloud lifetime, and enhancing precipitation. Ice crystals can form in clouds as a result of the existence of ice-nucleating particles (INPs), a small subset of aerosol particles that can initiate the nucleation of ice via heterogeneous freezing of supercooled water within clouds. The accurate modelling of clouds in climate models is key to reducing uncertainty in future climate projections, therefore improving understanding of sources, emissions, and atmospheric concentration of INPs is of significant importance. Limitations include the availability of aerosol sampling equipment capable of measuring the lowest concentration of INPs existing in the atmosphere, and the lack of instrumentation capable of identifying specific individual particle types that cause freezing events. This thesis further develops existing methodologies to progress our understanding of atmospheric INPs. In Chapter 2, I use laboratory analysis to test the suitability of a novel personal aerosol sampler based on electrostatic precipitation (ESP), developed by the University of Hertfordshire, to collection of INPs. The results show that the ESP is a viable alternative to a widely used filter sampling technique, with improved detection of warm temperature, low concentration INPs. In Chapter 3, I present the results of a proof-of-concept field campaign for integration of the ESP with a vertically profiling unmanned aerial system. During the field campaign in Southern Iceland, I sampled aerosol particles during vertical profiles up to 1.5 km whilst monitoring the aerosol size distribution and atmospheric variables. In Chapter 4, I build on a microfluidic technique for quantification of INP activity within aqueous samples by improving the microfluidic chip design and then probing the ability to detect biological material within frozen droplets.

Aerosol science has a significant impact on a broad range of disciplines, extending from inhaled drug delivery, to combustion science and its health impacts, aerosol assisted routes to materials, climate change, and the delivery of agricultural and consumer products. Estimates of the global aerosol market size suggest it will reach $84 billion/year by 2024 with products in the personal care, household, automotive, food, paints and medical sectors. Air pollution leads to an estimated 30-40,000 premature deaths each year in the UK, and aerosols transmit human and animal infections. More than 12 million people in the UK live with lung disease such as asthma, and the NHS spends ~£5 billion/year on respiratory therapies. Many of the technological, societal and health challenges central to these areas rely on core skills and knowledge of aerosol science. Despite this, an Industrial Workshop and online survey (held in preparation for this bid) highlighted the current doctoral skills gap in aerosol science in the UK. Participating industries reported that only 15% of their employees working with aerosol science at doctoral-level having received any formal training. A CDT in aerosol science, CAS, will fill this skills gap, impacting on all areas of science where core training in aerosol science is crucial.

Impact on the UK aerosol community: Aerosol scientists work across governmental policy, industrial research and innovation, and in academia. Despite the considerable overlap in training needs for researchers working in these diverse sectors, current doctoral training in aerosol science is fragmentary and ad hoc (e.g. the annual Fundamentals of Aerosol Science course delivered by the Aerosol Society). In addition, training occurs within the context of individual disciplines, reinforcing artificial subject boundaries. CAS will bring coherence to training in the core physical and engineering science of aerosols, catalysing new synergies in research, and providing a focal point for training a multidisciplinary community of researchers. Working with the Aerosol Society, we will establish a legacy by providing training resources for future researchers through an online training portal.

Impact on industry and public-sector partners: 45 organisations have indicated they will act as CAS partners with interests in respiratory therapies, public health, materials manufacturing, consumer and agricultural products, instrumentation, emissions and environment. Establishing CAS will deliver researchers with the necessary skills to ensure the UK establishes and sustains a scientific and technical lead in their sectors. Further, it will provide an ideal mechanism for delivering Continuing Professional Development for the existing workforce practitioners. The activity of CAS is aligned to the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (e.g. through developing new healthcare technologies and new materials) and the EPSRC Prosperity Outcomes of a productive, healthy (e.g. novel treatments for respiratory disease) and resilient (e.g. adaptations to climate change, air quality) nation, with both the skilled researchers and their science naturally translating to long-lasting impact. Additionally, rigorous training in responsible innovation and ethical standards will lead to aerosol researchers able to contribute to developing: regulatory standards for medicines; policy on air quality and climate geoengineering; and regulations on manufactured nano-materials.

Public engagement: CAS will provide a focal point for engaging the public on topics in aerosol science that affect our daily lives (consumer products, materials) through to our health (inhalation therapeutics, disease transmission and impacts of pollution) and the future of our planet (geoengineering). Supported by a rigorous doctoral level training in aerosol science, this next generation of researchers will be ideally positioned to lead debates on all of these societal and technological challenges.