Khaberni - A team from the University of Warwick, UK, has developed a new method that enables scientists to predict the movement of irregularly shaped nanoparticles in the air, a major category of air pollutants that has posed a significant challenge to accurate modeling for decades.
The team leader, Professor Duncan Lockerbie, explained that the new model allows for the calculation of the behavior of airborne particles with high accuracy without the need for complex mathematical assumptions or prior experimental models.
According to "Science Daily", he added that these non-spherical particles constitute the vast majority of air pollutants, including soot, dust, pollen, microplastics, viruses, and manufactured nanoparticles, some of which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, strokes, and cancer.
The team relies on revising and generalizing what is known as the "Cunningham correction factor", which dates back to the early 20th century, and applying it to particles of various shapes, not just spherical ones.
A "correction tensor" has also been developed, a mathematical tool that simulates the drag and resistance forces affecting particles during their movement in the air, regardless of their shape, with the main feature of not needing prior experimental data.
This scientific advancement contributes to improving air pollution models, enhancing the understanding of airborne disease transmission, and developing more efficient inhalation medications.
It also opens up wide applications in the fields of environmental health, climate, and nanotechnologies, reflecting the importance of this discovery in improving the quality of human life.
