Metrology of Nanoparticles

Abstract

In the past decades, several measurement techniques have been developed and continuously optimized to specifically analyze airborne nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have gained significant importance in fields such as air quality research, climate studies, nanotechnology, material science, particle technology and filtration. Key measurement fundamentals for an accurate, reliable measurement of nanoparticles includes their sampling, conditioning, and analysis. We present a number of state-of-the-art aerosol measurement techniques, with a focus on condensation particle counters, mobility analyzers, and instruments based on the diffusion charging of particles. A brief overview of these methods is provided, with a special focus on work done in the framework of the ETH Nanoparticles Conference, which was originally founded to better understand and mitigate nanoparticles generated by vehicles and combustion processes.