Single Aerosol Particle Spectrometer (SAPS) for in situ measurement of chemical composition

Current technologies for measuring the chemical composition and size of coarse mode aerosols are inadequate, leading to knowledge gaps in our understanding of their environmental, climate, and health impacts. This project aims to develop a Single Aerosol Particle Spectrometer (SAPS), which will use a combination of optical trapping and Raman spectroscopy to provide real-time, in situ measurements of individual aerosol particles ranging from sub-micrometer to tens of micrometers in size. In Phase I, we will design and build an automated particle sampling and introduction device (PSI) to integrate with an existing optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy system for laboratory-based testing. This will provide a key step toward transitioning the technology into a field-ready prototype. The SAPS instrument will have broad applications in atmospheric research, including public health, climate science, and environmental monitoring. By improving the measurement of coarse mode aerosols, the SAPS instrument has the potential to enhance air quality monitoring and public health outcomes, particularly for individuals suffering from allergies and asthma.