SelectScience
Join Free
Accelerating Science
NewsMaterials

Air Monitors Launches Nanoparticle Detector

Air Monitors Ltd
11 Aug 2015
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Product news

Traditional methods for measuring airborne particulate matter measure particle mass per unit air volume, usually with an upper size limit of x microns (PMx etc.). However, from a human health perspective, the particles of most interest are those that penetrate deep into the lungs. For this reason, Air Monitors has launched the Naneos Partector nanoparticle detector in the UK.

The Swiss made Naneos Partector measures lung deposited surface area (LDSA), and is the world's smallest nanoparticle detector. Based on a novel non-contact electrical detection principle, the Partector is a portable personal air sampler that requires almost no maintenance. Battery powered and simple to operate, the Partector provides sampling and LDSA measurements over a wide range of particle sizes.

Weighing just 445 grams, the Partector is commonly employed for workplace sampling, but can be used in any setting; both indoors and outdoors. The instrument features a colour display for live readings and has a high concentration alarm; however data are stored on a removable SD card.

A second version has a sample port for collecting nanoparticles onto standard Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) grids for later analysis. For inhalation toxicology studies, an OEM version allows for an external pump and real-time data to control nanoparticle exposure.

Links

Air Monitors LtdCompany website

Tags

NanotechnologyNanotechnology, or nanotech, is an engineering technique using molecular scale functional systems. Applications of nanotechnology include medicine and medical devices, electronics, air and water purification, food science and energy production.Particle CharacterizationParticle characterization instruments are used to determine particle size distribution, shape, surface area, zeta potential, density and porosity of particles and materials. Multiple tecchniques are available for determining particle size, shape and count including dynamic light scattering (DLS), laser diffraction, electrozone (Coulter technique), imaging particle analysis and single particle optical sensing. Determine the density of your material with a gas pycnometer or examine its surface area and porosity with gas adsorption analyzers and mercury porosimeters. Find the best particle characterization instruments in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Airborne PollutantsAirborne pollutants are particulates, biological molecules or other harmful materials that exist in the atmosphere. These pollutants are known to cause harm to health and the environment. Examples include persistent organic pollutants (POPs), carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides.Air SamplingAir sampling is described as the technique used to capture air for the subsequent purpose of analyzing, typically by thermal desorption, the presence of trace particulates, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).Air FiltrationNanoparticlesNanoparticles are between 1-100nm in size. Nanoparticles can be used for a wide variety of applications including biomedical, catalysis and electronics.

Related articles

Air Monitors Launches Nanoparticle Detector