Analytical Sciences

Aerosol Droplet Surface Measurement Methods

Derrick M. MOTT, Mao FUKUYAMA, and Akihide HIBARA

Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Material (IMRAM), Tohoku University, IMRAM West Building 1, Room S211, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba, Sendai 980-8577, Japan

Aerosol droplets play a critical role in the development of weather patterns, yet are notoriously difficult to analyze because of their small size, transient nature and potentially complex composition. As a result, there has been a surge in recent years in the development of analysis techniques aimed at the study of aerosol droplets, namely of their surface tension properties, which are thought to play a great role in aerosol/cloud growth and subsequently having an impact on the resulting weather patterns. To capture the state of the field at this key time, we have collected and described some of the most relevant and influential studies, with a focus on those that have had the most impact. This review will present and describe the most used analytical techniques for studying the surface tension of micrometer-sized aqueous droplets, with a focus on historical trends and how the current techniques are posed to revolutionize the field.

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