3D Printed Microscale Cyclones Enabling High-Efficiency Collection, Separation, and Recovery of Sub-Micrometer Aerosol Particles

PROMA BHATTACHARYA, Dewansh Rastogi, Sima Mehraji, Akua Asa-Awuku, Don L. DeVoe, University of Maryland

     Abstract Number: 624
     Working Group: Indoor Aerosols

Abstract
The collection and separation of aerosols is essential for capturing and investigating particulate matter because of the effects it has on human health. Sub-micron particles are of most concern because of their ability to deeply infiltrate the lungs, leading to different respiratory and cardiovascular diseases(Chen et al. 2021). Capturing these particles are more challenging at low flow rates, and we aim towards that goal.

In this work, we have fabricated geometrically similar microcyclones by using a high-resolution stereolithographic 3D printer using an acrylic-based resin, at different size scales. These 3D printed cyclonic devices are capable of highly effective particulate matter separation and collection with well-defined cutoff sizes. Particulates as low at 50 nm were captured with excellent cut sharpness at an air flow rate of 5 L/min using our smallest device with a minimum channel dimension of 0.75 mm. A key advantage of this platform is the low internal volume of the cyclone chamber, which allows for the recovery of fractionated samples from the enclosed cyclone chamber through rapid rinsing with a small volume of elution buffer. This feature enables collected particulates to be recovered with minimal dilution for increased sample concentration during downstream analysis of captured particles. Moreover, the pressure drop across these devices is low, facilitating its use in personal air sampling to be used with common miniature diaphragm air pumps.

The high capture efficiency for submicron particles, compact form factor, effective sample recovery, tunable cut size, and cost-effective manufacture make the microcyclone platform a promising tool for various applications in particulate matter and aerosol science, including environmental and personal air sampling.

References:
Chen, Tianyi, Fei’er Chen, Kan Wang, Xuedong Ma, Xinping Wei, Weigang Wang, Pengyu Huang, Dong Yang, Zhaolin Xia, and Zhuohui Zhao. 2021. “Acute Respiratory Response to Individual Particle Exposure (PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10) in the Elderly with and without Chronic Respiratory Diseases.” Environmental Pollution 271 (February):116329. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2020.116329.