Abstract: A system and method for making nanoparticles. The system includes a first cathode including a first metal tube associated with a first end and a second end, a first anode including a second metal tube associated with a third end and a fourth end, and a first container including a first gas inlet. The first end and the third end are located inside the first container. The first end and the third end are separated by a first gap, the first metal tube is configured to allow a first gas to flow from the second end to the first end, and the first container is configured to allow a second gas to flow from the first gas inlet into the second metal tube through at least a first part of the first gap.

Abstract: A nanoparticle reactor comprises a nucleation and core growth region providing a laminar flow of reactants in which the reactants thermally decompose to produce a supersaturated vapor that nucleates aerosol particles into particle cores. Nozzle(s) turbulently mix a preheated diluent into the heated reactants. The mixed preheated diluent and heated reactants flow into a core densification region where particle growth is quenched, coagulation limited and sufficient thermal energy for densification of the cores of the particles is provided. Nozzles turbulently mix a preheated additional reactant. A jet and chemical injection and layer formation region is used to develop the particle cores.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for condensation particle counting in conjunction with modifying an aerosol to enhance the formation and growth of droplets of a selected working fluid, preferably water. Before saturation with the working fluid, the aerosol is exposed to an aerosol modifying component, preferably a vapor including molecules that are adsorbed onto surfaces of the particles or other elements suspended in the aerosol. Adsorption alters the surface character of the suspended elements towards increased affinity for the vapor of the working fluid, to promote the formation and growth of working fluid droplets. The droplets are optically detected to indicate numbers and concentrations of the suspended elements.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to automatically recognize biological particles. An image of biological particles (e.g., airborne pollen or urine) is obtained. One or more parts of the image are detected as containing one or more particles of interest. Feature vector(s) are extracted from each detected part of the image. Non-linearities are applied to each feature vector. Each part of the image is then classified into a category of biological particle based on the one or more feature vectors for each part of the image.

Abstract: A process for producing spherical polymer particles which may be either monodisperse of a predetermined and controlled size, or polydisperse, using a liquid atomization technique. The process includes an aerosol generator to create a stream or multiple streams of liquid droplets sprayed into a thermal reactor. The aerosol generator sprays the feed solution which comprises liquid organic monomers or semi-polymerized monomers, a polymerization catalyst and optionally, a solvent, into the thermal reactor environment. The solvent evaporates allowing polymerization reactions to commence. Polymerization may proceed by a variety of methods. Polymerization is completed during the flight-time of the droplets and the solid polymer particles are collected at the bottom of the reactor.