Investigating apparent anomalies of light-matter interaction during laser-induced incandescence

Nanostructures are increasingly used for many purposes that include drug delivery, solar cell efficiency improvement, catalysts, and optical sensors. Accordingly, there has been a corresponding increase in demand for nanostructures, and a need for efficient manufacturing processes that can meet this demand. One such manufacturing process that has shown potential is gas-phase synthesis. Nanostructures can also be harmful to the respiratory system when undesirably aerosolized as a consequence of industrial processes such as welding or metal grinding. Therefore, it is important to characterize aerosolized nanostructures both to assess the properties of gas-phase engineered nanostructures and to ensure air quality and safety standards are met. Laser-induced incandescence (LII) is an in-situ and time-resolved optical diagnostic technique that can efficiently and timely characterize nanoaerosols for size, an important property for nanoparticles. The collaboration of the home and host institutions will allow for high-quality research leading to the improvement and better understanding of LII as a diagnostic technique. By so doing, this will position Canada and Germany favorably to easily integrate diagnostics and quality assurance measures into the growing market of nanomaterials. This technology also has the potential for being commercialized into a consumer product allowing for a quick assessment of aerosolized particulates.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kyle Daun

Student:

Partner:

Universität Duisburg-Essen

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Nanotechnology

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: