Methodology for generating stable concentrations of nano-objects

With an increasing number of companies using and producing nanomaterials, also the number of workers who are exposed to nano-objects is increasing. Nano-objects, because of their very small size, can very easily overcome the human systemic barrier and rapidly penetrate into the body, settling mainly in the lungs. It is important to establish standards for nanomaterials, because of the health and safety of workers who are exposed to nanomaterials in their workplace. During the exposure evaluation, it is important to determine the parameters of nano-objects in real-time and thus it is necessary to validate the measuring apparatus used during researches. The purpose of the project is to provide the possibility of obtaining stable concentrations of the nano-objects to validate the measuring apparatus for real-time testing of parameters of the nano-objects. The literature review [1-4] on methodology for generating nano-objects using techniques of nucleation and spark discharge was made. After analyzing different models, which were found in the literature [1-4], an experimental set-up was created. The experimental set-up is composed of: an aerosol generator, an aerosol neutralizer, a high-temperature furnace, a heat exchanger, a dilution system and a sampling chamber. Our set-up has many advantages: –– it can generate different types of nano-objects (carbon, cooper and silver nano-objects) with stable concentration; –– it can generate nano-objects with different concentration; –– it allows to take four samples at the same time and measure their parameters by using various measurement apparatus. Thanks to the built set-up, it will be possible to validate measuring apparatus for testing parameters of nano-objects in real-time using an ELPI+ (Dekati) as a reference apparatus.