US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Jana S Kesavan

Jerold R Bottiger

Nathan Kesavan

Deborah R Schepers

The present invention is directed to a passive outdoor air sampler device with various screen types and materials for efficient collection of air particles. Screens are used as a collection surface for aerosolized particles. The air sampler is suitable for long-term use in different outdoor settings with no power requirements.

Passive outdoor aerosol sampler device

An apparatus for passive sampling of airborne particles such as those found in an aerosol is disclosed. The passive sampler is designed to take advantage of natural air flow to collect airborne particles, such as those contained in an aerosol, for subsequent analysis. The passive sampler increases the sampling efficiency for diffusion and electrostatic collection of particles by using natural airflow or movement to bring particles closer to the deposition surface. Alternately charged electret filters further increase the sampling efficiency.

Passive sampling of airborne particles with the aid of natural air flow

A system and method for generating combustion aerosols from liquid fuel. The system includes a furnace with an inner heating tube having a heating tape wrapped thereabout. Further, the system includes a fuel line extending through an inlet end of the heating tube and into the heating tube, and a means for dripping the liquid fuel onto a plurality of different locations on an inner surface of the heating tube. The system further includes a power supply to power the heating tape to heat the inner heating tube to a temperature which can ignite the liquid fuel dripped onto the inner surface of the inner heating tube whereby there is an immediate combustion to form combustion products. Finally, the system includes an air line connected to the heating tube for directing compressed air through the inner heating tube to mix with the combustion products and transport the formed combustion aerosols out of an outlet end of the inner heating tube.

Combustion aerosol generator system

A collection plate for a cascade impactor is provided that includes: a container; an absorbent layer including a bottom surface and a top surface, the absorbent layer residing within the container, the absorbent layer further including a liquid medium within the absorbent layer; and an impaction membrane placed on the top surface of the absorbent layer, such that the impaction membrane is in fluidic communication with the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer is configured to hydrate the impaction membrane for at least four hours in a temperature of about 78&#xb0; F. at 37% RH. The collection plate may be utilized as a component in a cascade impactor and/or in a method of collecting a biological sample with a cascade impactor.

Modified collection plates for a cascade impactor

An aerosol generator includes a first body having a first end including an exit opening, and an oppositely positioned second end. An open channel second body is substantially positioned inside the first body and extends from the first end to the second end of the first body. An exit opening of the second body is positioned adjacent to the exit opening of the first end of the first body. An insert, which holds material to be aerosolized, is at least partially positioned inside the second body. An inlet opening receives compressed air into the first body. The compressed air flows towards the exit opening of the first end of the first body. The air flow creates a region of low pressure at the exit opening of the second body. The region of low pressure pulls the material out from the second body and aerosolizes the material. The aerosol generator is particularly effective in generating aerosols from small amounts of solid and liquid materials with minimal losses of material.

Aerosol generator and method

An external filter assembly adapted for modifying a suction cleaning device to sample relatively small particles from various surfaces and/or the ambient air, includes a housing having a first open end, a second open end and a throughbore between the first and second open ends, a filter adapted for capturing particles with particle sizes greater than 0.1 micrometer, the filter being mounted on and enclosing the first open end, and means for securely retaining the second open end of the housing on an exhaust port of the suction cleaning device in communication with the housing throughbore.

Growing community of inventors

Catonsville, MD, United States of America

Jana S Kesavan