-  Faculty Experts   -  News by Topic   -  News by School Search News & Info WUSTL in the News   - Powered by Google WUSTL Home Public Affairs Home University News Medical News Sports News Radio Service Business, Law & Econ Culture & Living Science & Technology Contact Information TV/Radio Studio Visiting Our Campuses Campus Images Sports photography Commercial Filming    and Photography Commercial Use of    Names and Symbols Domain Name policy Record (newspaper) Campus Calendars WUSTL News Summary Publications Online Facts, Guides & Maps		Tip Sheet: Science & Technology Tip sheets highlight timely news and events at Washington University in St. Louis. For more information on any of the stories below or for assistance in arranging interviews, please see the contact information listed with each story. For comments on the Science & Technology news tips service, please contact the editor, Tony Fitzpatrick at (314) 935-5272 or tony_fitzpatrick@aismail.wustl.edu. Tips Sheets: Business, Law & Econ | Culture & Living | Medical Science & Health | Science & Technology Method could help detect and deactivate particles used in bioterrorism Media assistance: Tony Fitzpatrick - (314) 935-5272 Source: Pratim Biswas' Web page - (314) 935-5482 Related: Record article: Mercury-trapping technique patented by Biswas [St. Louis, Mo., Dec. '02/Jan. '03] - The Aerosol and Air Quality Research Laboratory (AAQRL) at Washington University in St. Louis is developing innovative ways of detecting microbial and viral agents in air and water using in-situ light-scattering methods. Researchers in the AAQRL have developed an enhanced corona system for trapping and deactivating microbial particles. The work is promising for deactivating bioagents and bioweapons. Pratim Biswas, Ph.D., the Stifel and Quinette Jens Professor of Environmental Engineering Science, professor of chemical and civil engineering and head of the University's environmental engineering program, adjusts the electrical field in an instrument in the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Laboratory to measure on a real-time basis the size distribution of nanoparticle sorbent agglomerates. Pratim Biswas, Ph.D., Washington University head of environmental engineering at Washington, directs the AAQRL and has patented a technique that combines corona discharge with soft X-rays to enhance particle-charging characteristics and their capture in air-cleaning units. Due to the highly ionized field, the unit, which can be turned on and off with the flip of a switch, also can potentially degrade microbial agents. Furthermore, laser-based systems are being used to detect microbial particles using multiangle light-scattering principles. Recently, Biswas and Washington University AAQRL colleague Lars Angenet, Ph.D., co-authored an EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) white-paper on electro-technologies for deactivating bio-agents. The AAQRL studies particulate systems, from inorganic aerosols to biological particles. Recently, science writers from around the country attending the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing’s New Hoizons in Science Briefing, toured the AAQRL. They saw a laser-based detection system at work and reviewed the components of the electro-technology for deactivating microbial agents. Other novel instrumentation for nanometer-sized particle measurement also was on display. The University has a core group of aerosol researchers in the Environmental Engineering Science Program studying particulate matter systems ranging from the nanoscale to the macroscale.
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