Particle Measurements

Particulate matter in the atmosphere has strong influences on climate change, human health and visibility. Measurements of particulate mass loadings, optical properties, size distributions and chemical composition are needed to understand and control these impacts. Aerodyne produces multiple instruments for particle measurements, ranging from research grade time-of-flight  aerosol mass spectrometers to routine monitoring packages.

The Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) is the only currently available instrument capable of providing size and chemical mass loading information in real-time for non-refractory sub-micron aerosol particles. The AMS couples size-resolved particle sampling and mass spectrometric techniques into a single real-time measurement system. The Aerodyne AMS has been deployed world-wide at fixed sites, and on mobile laboratory, ship and aircraft platforms. More than 100 instruments are in use in industrial, academic and government laboratories.

The Aerodyne Aerosol Chemical Speciation monitor (ACSM) measures particle mass loading and chemical composition in real-time for non-refractory sub-micron aerosol particles. Smaller, lower cost and more robust than our AMS instruments, the ACSM is designed for long-term unattended deployment and routine monitoring applications.

The Aerodyne CAPS PMex Monitor provides an accurate and precise measurement of the optical extinction (the sum of absorption and scattering) of ambient particles.  Based on the cavity attenuated phase shift technique, the monitor provides a level of detection (3-sigma) of better than 2 Mm-1 with a 1 second time response.   The monitor can be operated in a completely autonomous mode without the need for any user intervention or consumables except for electrical power (<50 W).  A choice of wavelengths (450, 530 or 630 nm) is currently available; operation at 365 nm (at reduced sensitivity) will be available shortly. The Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SP-AMS) uses laser-induced vaporization to make real-time, in situ measurements of black carbon containing particles.  Both the carbon cores and any organic or inorganic coatings are detected quantitatively

Aerosol Analysis with the FIGAERO Inlet.  The FIGAERO inlet, which was jointly developed with the University of Washington, enables semi-continuous detection of both particle-phase and gas-phase compounds with the ToF-CIMS.

  • Easily interchanged with the standard gas-phase inlet of the ToF-CIMS
  • Sampling cycles between two modes: (i) Gas-phase measurement during aerosol collection (ii) thermal desorption and mass spectral analysis of collected aerosol
  • Automated switching between aerosol, gas, and blank sampling with programmable thermal desorption ramps.

Potential Aerosol Mass (PAM) Oxidation Flow Reactor

A highly oxidizing environment that simulates oxidation processes on timescales of days in the atmospherein minutes in real time.

Under Development

In addition to the standard aerosol mass spectrometer systems listed above, ARI is actively engaged in designing and promoting other advanced technology aerosol instrumentation and and in developing new detection modules for the AMS.  Many of our development projects are collaborations and partnerships with other leading scientists from both academia and  industry.

ESCOM

Aerodyne