NER: Airborne Nanoparticle Detector Based on a Microplasma Particle Trap

项目申请号：0403460研究单位：东北大学项目负责人：Hopwood， je_rey标题：NER：基于微等离子体粒子trapa的空气纳米粒子探测器摘要：本研究主要研究的是测量空气中纳米粒子的大小和浓度。纳米粒子由于体积极小，难以快速测量。然而，随着纳米技术成为现实，纳米颗粒的准确和快速传感成为许多制造过程的重要组成部分。控制纳米颗粒的密度和尺寸分布不仅是可靠制造的关键，而且对劳动力的健康和安全至关重要。该传感器由两部分组成：纳米粒子阱和纳米粒子探测器。该陷阱利用一小部分电离气体（即微等离子体）给纳米粒子带负电荷。一旦粒子带电，它就会被微等离子体内的电压梯度所捕获。接下来，通过使用电压脉冲从陷阱中清除颗粒来检测积累的纳米颗粒。带电粒子由一个电极收集，该电极既能感应每个粒子上的累积电荷，也能感应其在微等离子体和感应电极之间的飞行时间。这些数据可以用来确定粒子的密度和大小。研究的一部分将集中在捕获纳米粒子的基本物理学上，方法是检查施加在粒子上的多种力。纳米粒子从捕集器中排出的过程也将通过动态模型和实验进行研究。这项研究不仅将展示一种快速、低成本的环境中纳米颗粒传感器，而且还将为纳米颗粒在气流和等离子体中的行为提供基础数据。通过在这个项目中包括一名研究生和一名本科生，纳米技术劳动力基础设施也将受益。

PROPOSAL NO: 0403460INSTITUTION: Northeastern UniversityPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Hopwood , Je_reyTITLE: NER: Airborne Nanoparticle Detector Based on a Microplasma Particle TrapAbstract:This exploratory research focuses on measuring the sizes and concentrations of airborne nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are difficult to quickly measure due to extremely small size. As nanotechnology becomes a reality, however, the accurate and rapid sensing of nanoparticles becomes an important part of many manufacturing processes. Controlling the density and size distribution of nanoparticles is not only key for reliable manufacturing, but also critical to the health and safety of the workforce. The proposed sensor consists to two components: a nanoparticle trap and a nanoparticle detector. The trap uses a small region of ionized gas (i.e., a microplasma) to negatively charge the nanoparticle. Once the particle is charged, it is trapped by the voltage gradient within the microplasma. Next, the accumulated nanoparticles are detected by using a voltage pulse to empty particles from the trap. The charged particles are collected by an electrode that senses both the accumulated charge on each particle and its time-of-flight between the microplasma and the sensing electrode. These data allow the density and size of the particles to be determined. Part of the research will concentrate on the basic physics of trapping nanoparticles by examining the multitude of forces exerted on the particles. The expulsion of nanoparticles from the trap will also be examined using dynamic models and experiments. The research will not only demonstrate a fast, low-cost sensor for nanoparticles in the environment, but also provide basic data for nanoparticle behavior in gas streams and plasmas. By including a graduate student and an undergraduate student in this program, the nanotechnology workforce infrastructure will also benefit.