Comparing the Toxicological Responses of Pulmonary Air-Liquid Interface Models upon Exposure to Differentially Treated Carbon Fibers.

In recent years, the use of carbon fibers (CFs) in various sectors of industry has been increasing. Despite the similarity of CF degradation products to other toxicologically relevant materials such as asbestos fibers and carbon nanotubes, a detailed toxicological evaluation of this class of material has yet to be performed. In this work, we exposed advanced air-liquid interface cell culture models of the human lung to CF.

Impact of the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption on air quality: Insights from a multidisciplinary approach.

The La Palma 2021 volcanic eruption was the first subaerial eruption in a 50-year period in the Canary Islands (Spain), emitting ~1.8 Tg of sulphur dioxide (SO) into the troposphere over nearly 3 months (19 September-13 December 2021), exceeding the total anthropogenic SO emitted from the 27 European Union countries in 2019. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the 2021 volcanic eruption on air quality (SO, PM and PM concentrations) utilising a multidisciplinary approach, combining ground and satellite-based measurements with height-resolved aerosol and meteorological information.

[Development of specific guidance for the safe opening and operation of recreational destinations under pandemic conditions].

Background: The SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic led to the closure of leisure and recreation facilities worldwide. As part of a model study funded by the Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Integration, it was possible to demonstrate how a hygiene and safety concept can be successfully implemented in practice using the example of the opening and operation of an amusement park in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany) under scientific supervision.

Objective: The aim of the model project was, besides the verification of a possible infection event through a visit to the amusement park, to develop and review a recommended course of action for the safe opening and operation of leisure facilities under pandemic conditions, which can be transferred to other destinations.

Aerosol measurement identifies SARS-CoV 2 PCR positive adults compared with healthy controls.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is spread primarily through droplets and aerosols. Exhaled aerosols are generated in the upper airways through shear stress and in the lung periphery by 'reopening of collapsed airways'. Aerosol measuring may detect highly contagious individuals ("super spreaders or super-emitters") and discriminate between SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected individuals.

Exhaled Aerosols in SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction-Positive Children and Age-Matched-Negative Controls.

Background: Children and adolescents seem to be less affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease in terms of severity, especially until the increasing spread of the omicron variant in December 2021. Anatomical structures and lower number of exhaled aerosols may in part explain this phenomenon. In a cohort of healthy and SARS-CoV-2 infected children, we compared exhaled particle counts to gain further insights about the spreading of SARS-CoV-2.

Reducing indoor particle exposure using mobile air purifiers-Experimental and numerical analysis.

Aerosol particles are one of the main routes of transmission of COVID-19. Mobile air purifiers are used to reduce the risk of infection indoors. We focus on an air purifier that generates a defined volumetric air flow through a highly efficient filter material.

Impact of Nanocomposite Combustion Aerosols on A549 Cells and a 3D Airway Model.

The use of nanomaterials incorporated into plastic products is increasing steadily. By using nano-scaled filling materials, thermoplastics, such as polyethylene (PE), take advantage of the unique properties of nanomaterials (NM). The life cycle of these so-called nanocomposites (NC) usually ends with energetic recovery.

The Aerosol Deposition Method: A Modified Aerosol Generation Unit to Improve Coating Quality.

Owing to its ability to produce dense thick-films at room temperature directly from a ceramic powder, the Aerosol Deposition Method (AD) possesses a unique feature in ceramics processing. For this technology, the aerosol generation of particles is a decisive part of reliable process control. However, there has only been a small amount of work published addressing this topic.

Film Growth Rates and Activation Energies for Core-Shell Nanoparticles Derived from a CVD Based Aerosol Process.

Silica core-shell nanoparticles of about 60-120 nm with a closed outer layer of bismuth or molybdenum oxide of 1-10 nm were synthesized by an integrated chemical vapor synthesis/chemical vapor deposition process at atmospheric pressure. Film growth rates and activation energies were derived from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images for a deposition process based on molybdenum hexacarbonyl and triphenyl bismuth as respective coating precursors. Respective activation energies of 123 ± 10 and 155 ± 10 kJ/mol are in good agreement with the literature and support a deposition mechanism based on surface-induced removal of the precursor ligands.

An aerosol-process for the synthesis of nanostructured molybdenum oxide catalysts by integrated chemical vapour synthesis/chemical vapour deposition at atmospheric pressure.

We report the synthesis of composite nanoparticles by an integrated CVS/CVD process at atmospheric pressure. Iron oxide and silica support particles were generated by chemical vapour synthesis (CVS), using Fe(CO)5 and Si(OC2H5)4 and were directly coated in the aerosol state with molybdenum oxide by chemical vapour deposition of Mo(CO)6. Depending on the CVS temperature hematite (600 degrees C) or maghemite (1500 degrees C) iron oxide phases were determined by XRD and FTIR.