Abstract: A particle sensor for measuring size and concentration properties of particles in a gas includes a bipolar diffusion charger configured to charge particles within a received gas sample by the collision of the received particles with and transfer of charge from both positive and negative ions concurrently. At least one electrometer detects the charge of received particles thereby charged. The net, positive, negative or total charge on the bipolarly charged particles has a low sensitivity to variations in the absolute rate of charge generation in the bipolar diffusion charger. A sensor for a ratio of ion charge mobilities in a bipolar diffusion charger employs an ion trap between the bipolar diffusion charger and at least one electrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus to produce an aerosol of charged nanoparticles includes a charging device and an electrically conductive tube. The charging device includes an inlet for nanoparticles and an outlet. The charging device is configured to charge the nanoparticles. The electrically conductive tube includes an input port and an output port. The input port is arranged at the outlet of the charging device. A length l of the tube is at least 2.5 times a cross-sectional inner diagonal d of the tube.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a main tube that is closed at a bottom of the main tube and that comprises a sample position at the bottom, providing a main opening in the main tube, positioning a precursor material at the sample position, evaporating the precursor material by heating the precursor material by a heating device that is in thermal contact with the main tube, and providing a stream of a primary gas into the main tube through an inlet channel which is arranged within the main tube, wherein a cross section of the main tube at the sample position is smaller than at other positions of the main tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of nanoparticles is provided. The apparatus includes a main tube that is closed at a bottom, an inlet channel arranged within the main tube and includes a first opening to the outside of the apparatus and a second opening to the main tube, and a main opening in the main tube. The main tube includes a sample position at the bottom, the cross section of the main tube at the sample position is smaller than at other positions of the main tube, and the second opening of the inlet channel is arranged closer to the sample position than the main opening. Furthermore, an arrangement for the production of nanoparticles and a method for producing nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: A thermodenuder having a main tube with an outer wall, and a heater (23) arranged within the main tube. The heater is arranged in the center of a cross section through the main tube and is spaced apart from the outer wall of the main tube. The main tube has a main axis of extension, and the heater extends parallel to the main axis. The main tube has two openings that are arranged at opposing side faces of the main tube. A channel for an aerosol is arranged within the main tube between the heater and the outer wall and between the two openings. Furthermore, a method for removing semi-volatile material and semi-volatile particles from an aerosol is provided.

Abstract: A thermodenuder having a main tube with an outer wall, and a heater (23) arranged within the main tube. The heater is arranged in the center of a cross section through the main tube and is spaced apart from the outer wall of the main tube. The main tube has a main axis of extension, and the heater extends parallel to the main axis. The main tube has two openings that are arranged at opposing side faces of the main tube. A channel for an aerosol is arranged within the main tube between the heater and the outer wall and between the two openings. Furthermore, a method for removing semi-volatile material and semi-volatile particles from an aerosol is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of nanoparticles is provided. The apparatus includes a main tube that is closed at a bottom, an inlet channel arranged within the main tube and includes a first opening to the outside of the apparatus and a second opening to the main tube, and a main opening in the main tube. The main tube includes a sample position at the bottom, the cross section of the main tube at the sample position is smaller than at other positions of the main tube, and the second opening of the inlet channel is arranged closer to the sample position than the main opening. Furthermore, an arrangement for the production of nanoparticles and a method for producing nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: An anode active material for a lithium ion battery, or other electrochemical device, is disclosed. The material comprises particles of Fe Al Li O, wherein Fe is present in an amount of at least 10 wt % to at most 90 wt %, Al is present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt % to at most 90 wt %, and Li is optionally present, in an amount of 0 wt % or higher, wherein wt % is expressed in terms of the total mass of the particles of Fe Al Li O. Also disclosed are nanostructures in which the particles are core particles, with carbon nanotubes anchored at one end to the core particles. A method for the manufacture of such nanostructures is described, along with a method for processing such nanostructures for a lithium ion battery.