SPLITT-based detection and monitoring of engineered nanomaterials in aquatic systems

这项研究将开发检测和监测水生系统中工程纳米材料的方法。先进的低侵入性分馏技术将被改进为在纳米级（例如2至450 nm之间）进行分馏。元素分布，大小和电荷分布，以及同位素签名和形态，将在工程和其他纳米材料的各种来源中进行探索。 研究的关键步骤包括开发一种新的分析方法（SPLITT），将元素分为溶解和颗粒部分。研究将探索SPLITT在多大程度上分馏与水生介质平衡的纳米材料。 它还将研究不同纳米材料来源的最佳领域，以及成分、尺寸和电荷分布在多大程度上影响差异：（a）天然和偶然/工程纳米材料之间，（B）纳米颗粒类的各种来源之间。 这项研究将确定现有的制造工艺在多大程度上生产出具有独特同位素特征的纳米材料，相对于天然和偶然的纳米材料以及纳米颗粒类的各种来源。 这项工作的更广泛影响包括对K-12级的学生和教师的重大宣传。 它还支持在EPSCOR状态的机构的调查员。

This research will develop methods for the detection and monitoring of engineered nanomaterials in aquatic systems. Advanced low-invasive fractionation techniques will be refined to fractionate across the nanoscale (e.g. between 2 and 450 nm). Elemental distributions, size and charge distributions, as well as isotopic signatures and morphology, will be explored among various sources of engineered and other nanomaterials. Critical steps in the research include developing a new analytical methodology (SPLITT) that splits elements into dissolved versus particulate fractions. Research will explore to what extent SPLITT fractionates nanomaterials that have equilibrated with aquatic media. It will also examine the optimal fields for different nanomaterial sources, and to what extent composition, size, and charge distributions affects differentiation: (a) between natural and incidental/engineered nanomaterials and (b) among various sources of a nanoparticle class. The research will determine to what extent existing manufacturing processes produce nanomaterials with distinct isotopic signatures relative to natural and incidental nanomaterials and among various sources of a nanoparticle class. Broader impacts of this work include significant outreach to students and teachers at the K-12 level. It also supports an investigator at an institution in an EPSCOR state.