Advanced Nanoparticle and Atomic Cluster Hygroscopicity Analyzers – ANCHOR
Aerosol hygroscopicity is one of the most climate- and health-relevant properties of aerosol particles, affecting their physical, optical and chemical properties. Based on recent research using thermodynamic models and molecular dynamics simulations it is suggested that aerosol hygroscopicity plays also a key role during new particle formation (NPF) events contributing to the stabilization of atomic clusters (ACs) and to the initial growth of the nucleation particles (i.e., sub 10 nm aerosols). Current state-of-the-art, aerosol instrumentation cannot measure the hygroscopic properties (e.g., hygroscopic growth, stabilization) of ACs and sub-3 nm nanoparticles, while it requires very high number concentrations for measuring the hygroscopicity of nanoparticles with sizes of 5 to 10 nm, which can be reached only in laboratory conditions or during very intense NPF events.
ANCHOR aims in overcoming the limitations of the existing state-of-the-art systems for probing the hygroscopicity of ACs and sub-10 nm particles by developing and testing two novel systems with unparallel sensitivity and resolution. The novel systems, will be further employed for testing the existing theoretical framework, which validity has not been experimentally confirmed for nanoparticles smaller than 5 nm. In addition, the novel systems will be employed for validating the predictions made by atomistic models, describing the interactions of ACs of atmospheric relevance with water (e.g., growth/stabilization).
Besides the development of novel technologies in the field of aerosol instrumentation, the expected outcomes of ANCHOR will deepen our knowledge on the role of water in first stages of NPF events. A multidisciplinary team (consisted by experts in aerosol instrumentation, AC analysis and in molecular dynamics modeling) complemented by highly specialized engineers and by utilizing unique for the region facilities will successfully implement ANCHOR and optimally exploit its outcomes.
ANCHOR is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation
Start date: 01/05/2025
End date: 30/04/2027
Funding: €199,987.80
