Establishing traceable concentration measurements of particles for a more sustainable industry

Advanced materials have a wide range of applications, from batteries and semiconductors to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and have a key role to play in the EU’s transition to a green, circular economy. The vast majority of advanced materials consist of engineered particles which can carry with them specific safety, reliability and environmental considerations. Microplastics, for example, can escape into the environment and act as long-term pollutants, and materials used in medicines, require accurate dosing. There is therefore a need for reliable methods for high and low particle number concentration quantification of advanced materials to ensure they comply with regulations and to support innovation. As these particles can be complex in terms of chemical composition, shape, and distribution, and span a broad range of sizes and concentrations, established methods are not necessarily transferable. This poses a significant metrological challenge.

This project will improve metrological traceability and reduce uncertainty for number concentration measurements of industry-relevant particles and environmental pollutants. It will produce representative test materials (RTMs) for health, personal care, semiconductors, and energy, as well as for persistent environmental pollutants. It will also verify established particle counting methods for relevant RTMs, develop new material-specific sample preparation protocols and compare the performance of various particle counting and ensemble methods. The project will also develop traceable methods for particle material characterisation, including density and refractive index measurements, and validate computer modelling of material parameters.

The work of the project will help to improve the characterisation of advanced materials, ensuring they are safe to use, reliable in their applications to support innovation, and don’t pollute the environment.