This $199,558 National Science Foundation project grant, funded under the Engineering (47.041) program, supports the development of an integratable nano-optical particle sizer for measuring ultrafine airborne particles less than 100 nanometers at Lawrence Technological University from February 2022 through January 2024. The proposed research aims to advance optical particle sensing capabilities to the ultrafine range by investigating optical responses of nano-optical structures to airborne particles and developing a sensor platform using subwavelength apertures in metal films to accurately measure ultrafine particle sizes as they flow through the apertures. This has the potential to improve public health monitoring and understanding of health risks posed by inhalation of ultrafine particles from sources such as fossil fuel combustion and cigarette smoke. If successful, the research findings could enable breakthroughs in optical particle sizing technology.
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