Selected research projects and related publications. Click the project names to see a wider description.
Characterizing the physical state of the atmospheric secondary organic aerosol particles (2010-2012)
To understand global climate change in detail, the understanding of chemical and physical processes of aerosol particles in atmosphere is needed.Chemical and physical processes of aerosol particles in atmosphere depend on their chemical composition and physical properties. For instance, phase (solid, liquid, amorphous, mixture of those) and morphology of the aerosol particles affect the chemical and physical processes of aerosols, e.g., gas-particle partitioning, homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions, condensation, etc. In this research we employ the new method on characterizing the phase of the atmospheric SOA particles. The experimental research is conducted in both in smog chamber with volatile organics emitted from plants and in real atmospheric conditions.
Collaboration: Univ. Eastern Finland, Finnish Meteorological Inst., Univ. Helsinki, Univ. Bielefeld
Funding: Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation
Key persons : Annele Virtanen (project leader), Erkka Saukko, Heino Kuuluvainen
Interaction of traffic-related nanoparticles with lung surfactant (2009-2012)
Project goal is to establish a link between nanoparticle deposition in lungs and transport to blood flow and inner organs through understanding of interaction between the lung surfactant monolayer and deposited nanoparticles.
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KAHVA - Charging of aerosol particles and gas molecules (2008-2011)
Different ionization and particle charging methods are studied based on the basic principles and phenomena behind the charging processes. Objective of the project is to create a foundation for the use of different charging and ionization processes in aerosol and gas measurements instruments used in the safety and security applications. In the project, different charging mechanisms are evaluated and their limits are determined. Guidelines for the development of ionizers and aerosol chargers are created and new demonstrators are build and tested.
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Lipika - Correlation between fine particle emissions of traffic and laboratory measurements of vehicles (2002-2006)
The project goal is to clarify the vehicle exhaust particle characteristics and particle formation mechanisms in order to establish a link between laboratory measurements of exhaust particles and the real-world emissions. This is accomplished by performing several vehicle and engine laboratory campaigns and studying real-world particle emission by on-road measurements with individual vehicles and by road-side measurement campaigns.
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MESTAN - Traceable measurement of nanoparticles (2008-2011)
Ultrafine aerosol particles have a large impact on the environment, health and industrial processes. In this project, the effect of interaction between particles and gases on the measurement of the particles and the operation of engine aftertreatment devices are studied. A new method and experimental setup is designed and built for this purpose. Part of the setup consists of a new aerosol generator that can be used to create traceable aerosol number concentration standard.
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METHYB - Metallo-dielectric hybrid materials for spatial, temporal, and spectral control of ultrafast pulses (2010-2013)
We will develop aerosol techniques to prepare samples where metal nanoparticles of the desired size and composition are placed on the surface of glass substrates or in the bulk of glasses. The plasmon resonances of the particles will be tuned to desired wavelengths by their size and using particles with a dielectric core and a metal shell. The resonances will be characterized by linear extinction spectroscopy.
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MMEA - Measurement, Monitoring and Environmental Assessment (2010-2014)
The objective of the MMEA research programme during 2010-2014 is to develop new technologies, methods, tools and services in the area of measuring, environmental monitoring and EEA that are attractive both on the national and international markets. The specific aims are to 1) create new business in the area of MMEA, 2) to support other CLEEN research areas as a horizontal cross-disciplinary program, 3) to promote cooperation between CLEEN and other SHOKs,4) to promote and develop mechanisms for measurement interoperability and environmental information sharing, 5) to promote and develop methods and tools for the assessment of environmental efficiency, and 6) to develop application concepts for international markets in cooperation with research organisations, SME and big companies. Objective for the first programme period (2010) is to design and develop the first methods and tools that form the basis for application pilots to be constructed during the following years and to compile data and information for conducting EEA and constructing MSEEs for these pilots. In addition, preliminary EEA models and tools will be developed for some industrial applications.
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NANOKE - Nanotechnology Applications for Ceramic Tableware (2008-2010)
The project aims at possibilities to amend surface qualities of ceramic tableware by utilizing nanotechnology at Arabia’s manufacturing process. We consider producing colour and decoration effects with nanoparticles and contribute better mechanical and chemical durability for glaze surfaces.
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NANORATA - Liquid Flame Spray Nanocoating for Flexible Roll-to-roll web materials (2008-2011)
In the project, Liquid Flame Spray process is utilized in synthesizing nanocoatings on roll-to-roll materials including paper, paperboard, plastic films etc. The aim of the project is to obtain new functionalities on the materials with a thin nanoparticle coating layer. The coverage of the nanoparticles can be even less than 100 % to achieve the properties, meaning approximately 10 mg/m^3 in the mass of the coating. The properties, that are studied, include surface energy (wettability of the surface), barrier properties for gases and liquids, sealability of packaging materials etc.
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NANORATA 2 - Liquid Flame Spray Nanocoating for Flexible Roll-to-roll web materials 2 (2011-2014)
The main objective of the Nanorata 2 project is to control surface properties and functionality of flexible natural fibre-based materials in large scale through nanoparticle deposition by the LFS-process. The benefits of such LFS coating are affordability with versatile metal or metal oxide nanoparticle deposition and continuous nature of the process. Moreover, the LFS equipment is relatively simple, inexpensive and reliable, and the coating is carried out roll-to-roll at normal pressure. The large scale processing is made possible by utilizing a roll-to-roll process with high line speeds. The method can be used for controlled fast changing of surface hydrophobicity into hydrophilicity (so called reversible switching) by using UV/corona/plasma treatment. Via the surface energy we can influence other critical properties of the surface such as printability, extrusion coatability, release properties etc. Using the flame also possibly some totally novel properties can be generated, such as self cleaning properties. Furthermore, the project aims at demonstrating several potential industrial uses for the process, as well as study the life cycle of the product.
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nDOPE - Novel nanofabrication methods for specialty optical fibers (2008-2010)
In the project, methods for nanoscale characterization of specialty optical fiber soot and actual fiber are investigated. The gained knowledge is expected to be used in the product development area, including testing the feasibility of novel soot fabrication methods.
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REAL-EM - Real-world particle emission of diesel vehicles (2007-2010)
In the project, the effects of vehicle technology on particle emission of diesel vehicles are studied in real-world driving conditions on road and in engine laboratory. The focus of the study is nucleation mode particle formation and the effects of lubricant oil, exhaust after-treatment and fuel on it.
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Refuel - Future combustion technology for synthetic renewable fuels in compression ignition engines (2009-2011)
The objective of the project is to develop new extremely low emission combustion technologies for renewable fuels in compression ignition engines. The scope is to utilize the physical and chemical properties of the renewable fuels that differ from properties of the traditional crude oil based fuels and to develop optimum combustion technologies for them.
Key persons: Annele Virtanen, Matti Happonen, Juha Heikkilä, Jorma Keskinen
Collaboration: Helsinki Univ. Tech. (co-ordinator), Technical Research Center of Finland, Åbo Academi.
Funding: Tekes, Neste Oil Ltd, Wärtsilä Ltd, Sisu Diesel Ltd, Aker Arctic Technology Ltd
Trends in vehicle exhaust particle emission characteristics (2008-2010)
To predict the effect of traffic related emissions on human health and atmospheric processes, size, composition and concentration of traffic related particles should be known. The vehicle technology is developing, driven by present and future emission limits. The technology development further affects the characteristics of vehicle particle emissions. Thus a) to predict the future trends of traffic emissions and b) to guide the development of e.g. after-treatment systems and fuel technology to the direction which leads to the reduction of overall particle emission, the effect of technology on particle emissions needs to be known. In addition, to develop the cleaner technologies, the nucleation mode particle formation mechanisms should be known. Objectives of the proposed research are 1) to find future trends in vehicle exhaust particle emission properties 2) to study the formation mechanisms of nucleation mode particles and the effect of vehicle technology parameters on them.
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