Journey Through Aerosol Science: Unraveling Kidney Stone Formation, Advancing Visualization, and Particle Capture Technologies

Abstract

Aerosols are solid or liquid particles that are suspended in air or gas and are present throughout the Earth’s atmosphere due to a variety of anthropogenic and biogenic sources. These aerosol particles play an indispensable role in maintaining the planet's temperature, facilitating the dispersion of airborne pathogens, and enabling targeted pulmonary drug delivery. Our present comprehension of aerosol physics has been instrumental in elucidating the intricate processes of particle formation and their interactions with their immediate surroundings. Depending on their chemical composition and physical properties, these particles exhibit a range of effects on human existence. A profound understanding of the physics governing particle formation not only equips us to engineer aerosols for specific applications, such as nanoparticle synthesis, affording precise control over particle morphology and phase, but also empowers us to delve into the realm of aerosol interactions, unraveling the intricate interplay between particles and the environmental contexts they inhabit. This knowledge base in aerosol science, in turn, enables the development of advanced tools for the capture and analysis of these microscopic particles, thereby advancing our collective comprehension of the field of aerosol science. Furthermore, the physics governing aerosol interactions enables the exploration of particle-environment interactions within contexts of interest. This foundational knowledge base in aerosol science empowers the development of advanced tools for the capture and examination of these diminutive particles, furthering our collective understanding of aerosol science. Consequently, this thesis embarks on an exploration of the principles of aerosol science in multidisciplinary research and the development of new tools for the visualization and capture of aerosols.