scholarly journals Studying the Bulk and Contour Ice Nucleation of Water Droplets via Quartz Crystal Microbalances

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 463
Author(s):  
Karekin Dikran Esmeryan ◽  
Nikolay Ivanov Stoimenov
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Quartz Crystal ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Solid Surfaces ◽  
Adhesion Forces ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Embryo Formation ◽  
Quartz Crystal Microbalances ◽  
Active Research ◽  
Inside Out

Due to the stochastic and time-dependent character of the ice embryo formation and growth (i.e., a process that can be analyzed statistically, but cannot be predicted precisely), the heterogeneous ice nucleation on atmospheric aerosols or macroscopic solid surfaces is still shrouded in mystery, regardless of the extremely active research and exponential progress within this scientific field. For instance, whether the icing appears from outside-in or inside-out is a subject of intense controversy, with practicability in designing passive icephobic coatings or improving the effectiveness of the cryopreservation technologies. Here, we propose an artful technique for quantitative analysis of the different modes of water freezing using super-nonwettable soot-coated quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs). To achieve this goal, a set of 5 MHz QCMs are loaded one at a time with a 50 μL droplet, whose bulk or contour solidification is detected in real-time. The obtained experimental results show that our sensor devices recognize explicitly if the ice nuclei form predominantly at the liquid–solid interface or spread along the droplet’s entire outer shell by triggering individual reproducible responses in terms of the direction of signal evolution in time. Our results may serve as a foundation for the future incorporation of QCM devices in different freezing assays, where gaining information about the ice adhesion forces and ice layer’s thickness is mandatory.

scholarly journals Heterogeneous ice nucleation: bridging stochastic and singular freezing behavior

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 3161-3180 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Niedermeier ◽  
R. A. Shaw ◽  
S. Hartmann ◽  
H. Wex ◽  
T. Clauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Finite Area ◽  
Atmospheric Particle ◽  
Surface Sites ◽  
Stochastic Nature ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Embryo Formation ◽  
Heterogeneous Ice Nucleation

Abstract. Heterogeneous ice nucleation, a primary pathway for ice formation in the atmosphere, has been described alternately as being stochastic, in direct analogy with homogeneous nucleation, or singular, with ice nuclei initiating freezing at deterministic temperatures. We present an idealized model that bridges these stochastic and singular descriptions of heterogeneous ice nucleation. This "soccer ball" model treats statistically similar particles as being covered with surface sites (patches of finite area) characterized by different nucleation barriers, but with each surface site following the stochastic nature of ice embryo formation. The model provides a phenomenological explanation for seemingly contradictory experimental results obtained in our research groups. We suggest that ice nucleation is fundamentally a stochastic process but that for realistic atmospheric particle populations this process can be masked by the heterogeneity of surface properties. Full evaluation of the model will require experiments with well characterized ice nucleating particles and the ability to vary both temperature and waiting time for freezing.

Probing the interactions of organic molecules, nanomaterials, and microbes with solid surfaces using quartz crystal microbalances: methodology, advantages, and limitations

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 793-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rixiang Huang ◽  
Peng Yi ◽  
Yuanzhi Tang
Keyword(s):  
Quartz Crystal ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
Solid Surfaces ◽  
Quartz Crystal Microbalances ◽  
Working Principle

An understanding of the working principle, methodology, advantages and limitations of QCMs is important for their accurate use.

scholarly journals Twin-plate Ice Nucleation Assay (TINA) with infrared detection for high-throughput droplet freezing experiments with biological ice nuclei in laboratory and field samples

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 6327-6337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna T. Kunert ◽  
Mark Lamneck ◽  
Frank Helleis ◽  
Ulrich Pöschl ◽  
Mira L. Pöhlker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Infrared Detector ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Field Samples

Abstract. For efficient analysis and characterization of biological ice nuclei under immersion freezing conditions, we developed the Twin-plate Ice Nucleation Assay (TINA) for high-throughput droplet freezing experiments, in which the temperature profile and freezing of each droplet is tracked by an infrared detector. In the fully automated setup, a couple of independently cooled aluminum blocks carrying two 96-well plates and two 384-well plates, respectively, are available to study ice nucleation and freezing events simultaneously in hundreds of microliter-range droplets (0.1–40 µL). A cooling system with two refrigerant circulation loops is used for high-precision temperature control (uncertainty <0.2 K), enabling measurements over a wide range of temperatures (∼ 272–233 K) at variable cooling rates (up to 10 K min−1). The TINA instrument was tested and characterized in experiments with bacterial and fungal ice nuclei (IN) from Pseudomonas syringae (Snomax®) and Mortierella alpina, exhibiting freezing curves in good agreement with literature data. Moreover, TINA was applied to investigate the influence of chemical processing on the activity of biological IN, in particular the effects of oxidation and nitration reactions. Upon exposure of Snomax® to O3 and NO2, the cumulative number of IN active at 270–266 K decreased by more than 1 order of magnitude. Furthermore, TINA was used to study aqueous extracts of atmospheric aerosols, simultaneously investigating a multitude of samples that were pre-treated in different ways to distinguish different kinds of IN. For example, heat treatment and filtration indicated that most biological IN were larger than 5 µm. The results confirm that TINA is suitable for high-throughput experiments and efficient analysis of biological IN in laboratory and field samples.

scholarly journals Heterogeneous ice nucleation: exploring the transition from stochastic to singular freezing behavior

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 8767-8775 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Niedermeier ◽  
R. A. Shaw ◽  
S. Hartmann ◽  
H. Wex ◽  
T. Clauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Finite Area ◽  
Atmospheric Particle ◽  
Surface Sites ◽  
Stochastic Nature ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Embryo Formation ◽  
Heterogeneous Ice Nucleation

Abstract. Heterogeneous ice nucleation, a primary pathway for ice formation in the atmosphere, has been described alternately as being stochastic, in direct analogy with homogeneous nucleation, or singular, with ice nuclei initiating freezing at deterministic temperatures. We present an idealized, conceptual model to explore the transition between stochastic and singular ice nucleation. This "soccer ball" model treats particles as being covered with surface sites (patches of finite area) characterized by different nucleation barriers, but with each surface site following the stochastic nature of ice embryo formation. The model provides a phenomenological explanation for seemingly contradictory experimental results obtained in our research groups. Even with ice nucleation treated fundamentally as a stochastic process this process can be masked by the heterogeneity of surface properties, as might be typical for realistic atmospheric particle populations. Full evaluation of the model findings will require experiments with well characterized ice nucleating particles and the ability to vary both temperature and waiting time for freezing.

scholarly journals Cloud icing by mineral dust and impacts to aviation safety

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Slobodan Nickovic ◽  
Bojan Cvetkovic ◽  
Slavko Petković ◽  
Vassilis Amiridis ◽  
Goran Pejanović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Aircraft Accidents ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Loss And Damage ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
Convective Weather ◽  
First Time ◽  
Engine Power

AbstractIce particles in high-altitude cold clouds can obstruct aircraft functioning. Over the last 20 years, there have been more than 150 recorded cases with engine power-loss and damage caused by tiny cloud ice crystals, which are difficult to detect with aircraft radars. Herein, we examine two aircraft accidents for which icing linked to convective weather conditions has been officially reported as the most likely reason for catastrophic consequences. We analyze whether desert mineral dust, known to be very efficient ice nuclei and present along both aircraft routes, could further augment the icing process. Using numerical simulations performed by a coupled atmosphere-dust model with an included parameterization for ice nucleation triggered by dust aerosols, we show that the predicted ice particle number sharply increases at approximate locations and times of accidents where desert dust was brought by convective circulation to the upper troposphere. We propose a new icing parameter which, unlike existing icing indices, for the first time includes in its calculation the predicted dust concentration. This study opens up the opportunity to use integrated atmospheric-dust forecasts as warnings for ice formation enhanced by mineral dust presence.

Quartz Crystal Microbalances Functionalized with Citric Acid-Doped Polyvinyl Acetate Nanofibers for Ammonia Sensing

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 5687-5697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roto Roto ◽  
Aditya Rianjanu ◽  
Annisa Rahmawati ◽  
Innas Amaliya Fatyadi ◽  
Nursidik Yulianto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Quartz Crystal ◽  
Polyvinyl Acetate ◽  
Ammonia Sensing ◽  
Quartz Crystal Microbalances

scholarly journals Condensed-phase biogenic–anthropogenic interactions with implications for cold cloud formation

2017 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 165-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph C. Charnawskas ◽  
Peter A. Alpert ◽  
Andrew T. Lambe ◽  
Thomas Berkemeier ◽  
Rachel E. O’Brien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Freezing Temperature ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Mixed Phase ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Fossil Fuel Combustion ◽  
Soot Particles ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Deliquescence Relative Humidity ◽  
Homogeneous Freezing

Anthropogenic and biogenic gas emissions contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). When present, soot particles from fossil fuel combustion can acquire a coating of SOA. We investigate SOA–soot biogenic–anthropogenic interactions and their impact on ice nucleation in relation to the particles’ organic phase state. SOA particles were generated from the OH oxidation of naphthalene, α-pinene, longifolene, or isoprene, with or without the presence of sulfate or soot particles. Corresponding particle glass transition (Tg) and full deliquescence relative humidity (FDRH) were estimated using a numerical diffusion model. Longifolene SOA particles are solid-like and all biogenic SOA sulfate mixtures exhibit a core–shell configuration (i.e.a sulfate-rich core coated with SOA). Biogenic SOA with or without sulfate formed ice at conditions expected for homogeneous ice nucleation, in agreement with respectiveTgand FDRH. α-pinene SOA coated soot particles nucleated ice above the homogeneous freezing temperature with soot acting as ice nuclei (IN). At lower temperatures the α-pinene SOA coating can be semisolid, inducing ice nucleation. Naphthalene SOA coated soot particles acted as ice nuclei above and below the homogeneous freezing limit, which can be explained by the presence of a highly viscous SOA phase. Our results suggest that biogenic SOA does not play a significant role in mixed-phase cloud formation and the presence of sulfate renders this even less likely. However, anthropogenic SOA may have an enhancing effect on cloud glaciation under mixed-phase and cirrus cloud conditions compared to biogenic SOA that dominate during pre-industrial times or in pristine areas.

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