Single Particle Levitation

Single particle levitation uses light, sound or electric fields to confine and levitate micron-sized particles and droplets. Usually housed within an environmentally controlled chamber, these methods allow the physical, optical and chemical characteristics of an aerosol to be measured under conditions that mimic those encountered in the environment.

The Davies Lab uses electrodynamic fields to levitate and manipulate picoliter droplet samples inside a linear-quadrupole electrodynamic balance. We are developing new analytical tools to measure the size and optical properties of our samples, their composition and their physical characteristics, such as viscosity, hygroscopicity and surface tension.