Optical Device for Sorting Particles by Size

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1 project will evaluate the feasibility of an innovative optical sizer for estimating drop sizes in sprays that have very small drops. The technique is based on the NIST provisional patent (application number 62/358,264). The NIST invention sorts particles by size over the range of 10nm to 10μm. Drop sizing is achieved in these sprays using an intense standing wave optical field created in a laser-pumped resonant optical cavity, and sending the spray in a laminar flow through the optical field. During the Phase I project, En’Urga Inc. will undertake three tasks. The first task will be to configure a laboratory system to evaluate the technical feasibility of the optical drop sizer. The second task will be to evaluate the laboratory system using spray experiments. The last task will be to design a commercial prototype system for the Phase II work. During the Phase II work, En'Urga Inc. will design and develop a prototype drop sizer. The drop sizer will be rigorously evaluated before commercialization of the system can commence.