Themed collection Particle Levitation to Address Challenges in Atmospheric Science

9 items
Open Access Paper

Acoustic levitation with polarising optical microscopy (AL-POM): water uptake in a nanostructured atmospheric aerosol proxy

We present acoustic levitation combined with polarising optical microscopy (AL-POM). Fatty acid aerosols were probed and a model fit revealed a ca. 5–6 orders of magnitude difference in water diffusion coefficient upon a phase transition between optically birefringent and non-birefringent phases.

Graphical abstract: Acoustic levitation with polarising optical microscopy (AL-POM): water uptake in a nanostructured atmospheric aerosol proxy
Open Access Paper

Single-particle measurements and estimations of activity coefficients for semi-volatile organic compounds in organic aerosol of known chemical speciation

Organic aerosol is a highly complex mixture of ∼104 to 105 unique compounds all possessing their own set of physico-chemical properties such as saturation vapour pressure and hygroscopicity.

Graphical abstract: Single-particle measurements and estimations of activity coefficients for semi-volatile organic compounds in organic aerosol of known chemical speciation
Open Access Paper

Hygroscopic growth of single atmospheric sea salt aerosol particles from mass measurement in an optical trap

The hygroscopic growth of single levitated atmospheric sea salt particles is re-examined by combining optical trapping with accurate mass measurements.

Graphical abstract: Hygroscopic growth of single atmospheric sea salt aerosol particles from mass measurement in an optical trap
Open Access Paper

Organic acid evaporation kinetics from aqueous aerosols: implications for aerosol buffering capacity in the atmosphere

The acidity of atmospheric aerosols controls their impacts on heterogeneous and multiphase reactions, cloud formation, and human health.

Graphical abstract: Organic acid evaporation kinetics from aqueous aerosols: implications for aerosol buffering capacity in the atmosphere
Open Access Paper

Directly measuring Fe(III)-catalyzed SO2 oxidation rate in single optically levitated droplets

We directly measure the Fe(III)-catalyzed SO2 conversion in single microdroplet trapped and levitated with a gradient-force aerosol optical tweezer. There was a significant acceleration in the formation of SO2 to sulfate conversion on the surface of the aerosol microdroplets.

Graphical abstract: Directly measuring Fe(iii)-catalyzed SO2 oxidation rate in single optically levitated droplets
Open Access Paper

Oxidation pathways of linoleic acid revisited with electrodynamic balance–mass spectrometry

Electrodynamic balance–mass spectrometry allows to study the ozonolysis of linoleic acid under strongly different ozone concentrations and reveals the importance of autoxidation at low ozone concentrations.

Graphical abstract: Oxidation pathways of linoleic acid revisited with electrodynamic balance–mass spectrometry
Open Access Paper

Exploring the hygroscopicity, water diffusivity, and viscosity of organic–inorganic aerosols – a case study on internally-mixed citric acid and ammonium sulfate particles

Internally-mixed aerosol particles containing organic molecules and inorganic salts exhibit hygroscopic growth, viscosity and diffusion properties that have a non-linear dependence on composition.

Graphical abstract: Exploring the hygroscopicity, water diffusivity, and viscosity of organic–inorganic aerosols – a case study on internally-mixed citric acid and ammonium sulfate particles
Open Access Paper

Equilibration times in viscous and viscoelastic aerosol particles

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles in Earth's atmosphere can exist in phase states where mass transport and chemical transformations are greatly impeded.

Graphical abstract: Equilibration times in viscous and viscoelastic aerosol particles
Open Access Paper

Characterization of single fungal aerosol particles in a reactive atmospheric environment using time-resolved optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS)

We applied a time-resolved, optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) technique to characterize single, trapped bioaerosol particles under well-controlled reactive conditions that mimic the native state of particles in the atmosphere.

Graphical abstract: Characterization of single fungal aerosol particles in a reactive atmospheric environment using time-resolved optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS)
9 items

About this collection

Single particle levitation approaches are versatile tools to study aerosols and have provided previously unprecedented insights into grand challenges in atmospheric science. This themed collection highlights recent high-impact work performed by researchers across the globe using single particle levitation approaches, including optical, electrodynamic, and acoustic traps.

Spotlight

Advertisements