The Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA) is currently the most effective instrument for sizing sub-micrometer aerosol particles. An important requirement to ensure good performance in terms of sizing accuracy and resolution is that the flow field remains laminar and undisturbed along its classification zone. To achieve that, a flow straightener (or flow laminarizer) is employed at the sheath flow inlet, located at the top of the classification column. In this study, we assess the performance of a custom-made DMA using different sheath flow straighteners made out of plastic fabric materials or built by 3D printing. Our tests show that 3D-printed flow straighteners can achieve comparable, and in some cases better, results to those used in commercial DMAs (e.g., fine nylon meshes; Dacron®). Considering the great flexibility and ease in manufacturing offered by 3D printing, our findings show that this technology provides a promising alternative for building enhanced flow straightening systems.@en

The Alphasense optical particle counter (OPC) provides a low-cost and lightweight solution for measurements of the size and number concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM). The micro fan with which it is originally equipped cannot, however, achieve a high enough pressure differential for maintaining an adequate flow rate when connected to sampling/pretreatment aerosol lines, limiting its use for air quality monitoring. Here, we propose a simple modification on the sample flow system that enables the connection of the Alphasense OPC with sampling/pretreatment lines (e.g., dryers) commonly employed on ground observational sites, as well as its use onboard Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). Tests of the modified OPC using monodisperse polystyrene spherical (PS) particles having sizes between 0.8 and 2.5 μm show that both the sizing and counting performance of the modified instrument is in agreement with that of a calibrated reference OPC at concentrations from ca. 50 to 800 #/ml, which are typically encountered in the atmosphere in that size range. For particle number concentrations below or above this range, we observed a concentration-dependent counting efficiency, which can be corrected using a polynomial function derived from our measurements. Tests conducted under reduced pressure and temperature conditions demonstrate the capability of the modified OPC for accurately (i.e., within 13% deviation from the reference measurements) determining the size and number concentration of the sampled particles. The tests reported in this work show that the proposed modification can qualify the Alphasense OPC for use in both ground and aerial observations without affecting its performance, and at the same time maintaining its strongly desired characteristics (i.e., cost effectiveness and high portability).@en

The Alphasense optical particle counter (OPC) provides a low-cost and lightweight solution for measurements of the size and number concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM). The micro fan with which it is originally equipped cannot, however, achieve a high enough pressure differential for maintaining an adequate flow rate when connected to sampling/pretreatment aerosol lines, limiting its use for air quality monitoring. Here, we propose a simple modification on the sample flow system that enables the connection of the Alphasense OPC with sampling/pretreatment lines (e.g., dryers) commonly employed on ground observational sites, as well as its use onboard Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). Tests of the modified OPC using monodisperse polystyrene spherical (PS) particles having sizes between 0.8 and 2.5 μm show that both the sizing and counting performance of the modified instrument is in agreement with that of a calibrated reference OPC at concentrations from ca. 50 to 800 #/ml, which are typically encountered in the atmosphere in that size range. For particle number concentrations below or above this range, we observed a concentration-dependent counting efficiency, which can be corrected using a polynomial function derived from our measurements. Tests conducted under reduced pressure and temperature conditions demonstrate the capability of the modified OPC for accurately (i.e., within 13% deviation from the reference measurements) determining the size and number concentration of the sampled particles. The tests reported in this work show that the proposed modification can qualify the Alphasense OPC for use in both ground and aerial observations without affecting its performance, and at the same time maintaining its strongly desired characteristics (i.e., cost effectiveness and high portability).@en

The Alphasense optical particle counter (OPC) provides a low-cost and lightweight solution for measurements of the size and number concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM). The micro fan with which it is originally equipped cannot, however, achieve a high enough pressure differential for maintaining an adequate flow rate when connected to sampling/pretreatment aerosol lines, limiting its use for air quality monitoring. Here, we propose a simple modification on the sample flow system that enables the connection of the Alphasense OPC with sampling/pretreatment lines (e.g., dryers) commonly employed on ground observational sites, as well as its use onboard Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). Tests of the modified OPC using monodisperse polystyrene spherical (PS) particles having sizes between 0.8 and 2.5 μm show that both the sizing and counting performance of the modified instrument is in agreement with that of a calibrated reference OPC at concentrations from ca. 50 to 800 #/ml, which are typically encountered in the atmosphere in that size range. For particle number concentrations below or above this range, we observed a concentration-dependent counting efficiency, which can be corrected using a polynomial function derived from our measurements. Tests conducted under reduced pressure and temperature conditions demonstrate the capability of the modified OPC for accurately (i.e., within 13% deviation from the reference measurements) determining the size and number concentration of the sampled particles. The tests reported in this work show that the proposed modification can qualify the Alphasense OPC for use in both ground and aerial observations without affecting its performance, and at the same time maintaining its strongly desired characteristics (i.e., cost effectiveness and high portability).@en

The Alphasense optical particle counter (OPC) provides a low-cost and lightweight solution for measurements of the size and number concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM). The micro fan with which it is originally equipped cannot, however, achieve a high enough pressure differential for maintaining an adequate flow rate when connected to sampling/pretreatment aerosol lines, limiting its use for air quality monitoring. Here, we propose a simple modification on the sample flow system that enables the connection of the Alphasense OPC with sampling/pretreatment lines (e.g., dryers) commonly employed on ground observational sites, as well as its use onboard Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). Tests of the modified OPC using monodisperse polystyrene spherical (PS) particles having sizes between 0.8 and 2.5 μm show that both the sizing and counting performance of the modified instrument is in agreement with that of a calibrated reference OPC at concentrations from ca. 50 to 800 #/ml, which are typically encountered in the atmosphere in that size range. For particle number concentrations below or above this range, we observed a concentration-dependent counting efficiency, which can be corrected using a polynomial function derived from our measurements. Tests conducted under reduced pressure and temperature conditions demonstrate the capability of the modified OPC for accurately (i.e., within 13% deviation from the reference measurements) determining the size and number concentration of the sampled particles. The tests reported in this work show that the proposed modification can qualify the Alphasense OPC for use in both ground and aerial observations without affecting its performance, and at the same time maintaining its strongly desired characteristics (i.e., cost effectiveness and high portability).@en

A sharp-cut cyclone with an aerodynamic cut-off diameter of 1 μm, when operated at a flow rate of 1 L min−1, was built by 3D-printing and tested against a metallic (aluminum) counterpart having the same design and dimensions. The penetration efficiency of both cyclones was experimentally determined using quasi-monodisperse aerosol particles having aerodynamic diameters from ca. 100 nm to 2 μm. The aerodynamic cut-off diameter for both cyclones was very similar and in accordance with the expected design value. The penetration efficiency curve of the 3D-printed cyclone was less steep compared to that of its metallic counterpart. This difference is most likely attributed to the higher surface roughness of the inner parts of the 3D-printed cyclone - as also indicated by the greater pressure drop it exhibits compared to the aluminum cyclone when operated at the same flow rate - and not by higher deviations from its design dimensions resulting from the tolerances of the 3D printer. Despite that, the substantially low cost, speed, and ease of manufacturing, make the 3D-printed cyclone a highly promising solution for applications in aerosol metrology.@en