Filtration of airborne nanoparticles using nanofibers

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Nanofiber is a versatile platform for many industries including energy, environment, and health care. Examples include fuel processing, air cleaning, and separation of cancer cells from blood. For the next five years, my NSERC Discovery Grant (DG) will be used to support fundamental research program in nanofiber for the separation of airborne nanoparticles. I have established a research program in nanofiber for filtration and separations. Filtration is the most commonly applied method for air purification. Its applications include respiratory protection, air cleaning for combustion effluents, processing of nuclear hazardous material, clean air supply to buildings, and clean rooms. Nanofiber is a promising filter medium that possesses superior filtration efficiency and low resistance to air flow. With the growing demand in energy saving and clean air, there has been a great interest in the research in nanofiber filtration. Despite the great potential of nanofiber filtration, most research has been conducted using microsized aerosol particles and very limited data is available for the filtration of nanoaerosol particles. Nanoaerosol particles behave differently than microsized particles because of their unique physical properties, including their size, surface area, density, morphology, diffusivity, mechanical constant, rigidity, electrical charging capability, aerodynamics, etc. Information about the interaction between nanoaerosol particles and nanofibers is especially absent. The long-term goal of the research program aims at the creation of new knowledge in nanofiber-based filtration and separation technologies, and the training of HQP through the research program. For the coming 5 years, the proposed research program is centered on understanding the nanoaerosol-nanofiber interfacial mechanics, and the mechanisms behind nanofiber fabrication by electrospinning. The approach to my research program will be analytical and experimental, in combination with molecular dynamics modeling. Theoretical analyses on nanoaerosol characterization and filtration will be validated by experimental data. This research program will greatly improve the understanding of nanoaerosol dynamics and its implications on the development of related instrumentation and air cleaning technologies. New knowledge in nanoaerosol particle filtration and measurement will allow industry, government agencies, policy makers make knowledge based decisions in their business, operation, decision making. In the coming 5 years, at least 42 students will be supported by this Discovery grant. More will be trained through other research funding that is closely related to the Discovery program. These HQP will become an important part of the Canadian workforce in cleantech industry, cutting edge research program and education.