Nanoparticles, or colloids in aquatic environments, have sizes ranging from 1 to 1000 nm and are at the boundary between soluble chemical species and sinking particles. They are the most abundant particles in the ocean and other aquatic environments and account for a significant portion of "dissolved" organic carbon. In situ characterization of the physical and biochemical properties is crucial for a wide range of fundamental applications including: 1) ocean biogeochemistry 2) ocean optics and 3) aquatic biological hazards.

While the characteristics of nanoparticles are important for a variety of applications, their complex heterogeneous nature and small size makes the in situ determination of their physical and chemical characteristics extremely challenging. To date, most characterization techniques are laboratory-based and are thus limited. This project will develop in situ sensor networks for aquatic nanoparticle characterization that can address a broader range of applications and test them in an ocean environment. The research program consists of the development of microfluidic-based techniques that can preprocess and help analyze heterogeneous assemblies of aquatic nanoparticles and bacteria and the development of a pipelined suite of advanced optical techniques using the amplitude and the phase of the optical fields, multiple wavelengths, multiple scattering angles, polarization properties, and parallel interrogation volumes, which sequentially classify particle characteristics over a wide range of variables. The program will culminate in the deployment of a prototype in situ sensor network node that can measure both the physical and biogeochemical properties of aquatic nanoparticles forming the basis of a complete sensor network for in situ spatial and temporal monitoring.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Application #
0428900
Program Officer
Kandace S. Binkley
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2004-09-01
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$2,499,997
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093