Fully integrated optofluidic SERS platform for real-time and continuous characterization of airborne microorganisms.

An optofluidic, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) platform was developed to detect airborne microorganisms, continuously and in real time. The platform consists of an on-chip analysis system integrated with an aerosol sampler and Raman spectrometer. A stratified two-phase flow, consisting of the sampled air stream and a stream of collection medium, is formed in the curved channel.

Development of an automated wet-cyclone system for rapid, continuous and enriched bioaerosol sampling and its application to real-time detection.

We present a novel bioaerosol sampling system based on a wet-cyclone for real-time and continuous monitoring of airborne microorganisms. The Automated and Real-time Bioaerosol Sampler based on Wet-cyclone (ARBSW) continuously collects bioaerosols in a liquid medium and delivers the samples to a sensing device using a wireless remote control system. Based on a high air-to-liquid-flow-rate ratio (∼ 1.

Highly Enriched, Controllable, Continuous Aerosol Sampling Using Inertial Microfluidics and Its Application to Real-Time Detection of Airborne Bacteria.

We report a novel microfluidic technique for sampling of aerosols into liquids. The two-phase fluid, sampling air and collecting liquid, forms a stratified flow in the curved microchannel. By passing fluids through the curved region, the particles are transferred from air into the liquid phase by the particle centrifugal and drag forces.

Integrated micro-optofluidic platform for real-time detection of airborne microorganisms.

We demonstrate an integrated micro-optofluidic platform for real-time, continuous detection and quantification of airborne microorganisms. Measurements of the fluorescence and light scattering from single particles in a microfluidic channel are used to determine the total particle number concentration and the microorganism number concentration in real-time. The system performance is examined by evaluating standard particle measurements with various sample flow rates and the ratios of fluorescent to non-fluorescent particles.

Novel electrostatic precipitator using unipolar soft X-ray charger for removing fine particles: Application to a dry de-NOX process.

The novel electrostatic precipitator (ESP), consisting of a soft X-ray charger and a collection part, was demonstrated and applied to a dry de-NOX process to evaluate its performance in by-product particle removal. NOX gas was oxidized by ozone (O3) and neutralized by ammonia (NH3) sequentially, and finally converted to an ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) aerosol with ∼ 100-nm peak particle diameter. The unipolar soft X-ray charger was introduced for charging the by-product particles in this dry de-NOX process.

Herbal Extract Incorporated Nanofiber Fabricated by an Electrospinning Technique and its Application to Antimicrobial Air Filtration.

Recently, with the increased attention to indoor air quality, antimicrobial air filtration techniques have been studied widely to inactivate hazardous airborne microorganisms effectively. In this study, we demonstrate herbal extract incorporated (HEI) nanofibers synthesized by an electrospinning technique and their application to antimicrobial air filtration. As an antimicrobial herbal material, an ethanolic extract of Sophora flavescens, which exhibits great antibacterial activity against pathogens, was mixed with the polymer solution for the electrospinning process.