Fine particulate matter is, on account of its aerodynamic properties and typical composition (especially diesel particulate matter and carbonaceous particles) the particulate pollutant potentially most harmful to cultural heritage, representing an aesthetic issue and an agent of chemical degradation simultaneously. This paper reviews the current knowledge of the life-cycle of fine particulates,...

A contactless sensing system for nano-sized carbonaceous particulate matter using laser-induced incandescence (LII) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is presented. The LIBS technique allows detecting elemental composition and density of the SPMs, and LII technique allows to measure particulate size. LII technique is temporal resolved method that enables measurement of soot particu...

Four point bend tests were conducted on two previously characterized particulate filled thermoplastic and thermoset polymeric coatings, the acoustic emission (AE) method being utilized to monitor the damage progress during the tests. Different damage mechanisms operating in the polymeric coatings can be recognized by the different amplitude range of the AE signals emitted. AE can be used to ass...

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines are attracting attention as next-generation internal combustion engines mainly because of very low NOx and PM emission potential and excellent thermal efficiency. Particulate emissions from HCCI engines have been usually considered negligible however recent studies suggest that PM number emissions from HCCI engines cannot be neglected. This...

Abrasive blasting materials, such as coal slag garnet and copper slag, are often used for cleaning metal surfaces to remove rust and to prepare a surface before the application of a coating. The pre-blast and post-blast (spent) abrasive materials contain traces of heavy metal constituents such as Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb Fe, and Ba. Hence, the health risk associated with the resultant particulate emissio...

Background: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting was held from 5 November to 11 November 2014 in Beijing, and comprehensive emission control measures were implemented. The efficiency of these measures on particulate matter-related health impacts and economic cost need to be evaluated. Methods: The influences of emission control measures during APEC on particulate matter were eva...