Amir Farnoud with the Zetasizer ZS
By Raymond Humienny
NQPI writing intern
Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute member and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering professor Amir Farnoud was awarded a grant from the 1804 Fund titled “Acquisition of a Zetasizer ZS to enhance nanotechnology research and education at Ohio University.”
The Zetasizer ZS is an instrument that uses dynamic light scattering to measure particle size and two oppositely charged electrodes to determine particle charge.
The former process involves shooting a beam of light off particles inside a glass vial. As this light scatters, its intensity fades over time, and this information is stored as data to determine particle size. The faster the scattered light diffuses, the smaller the particle is likely to be.
Two electrodes are positioned on opposing sides of the sample; thus, particle charge is approximated by how quickly each particle moves to either electrode. In order to calculate this velocity, one must measure the time difference between two moving particles.
The acquisition of a Zetasizer ZS is a strong step forward for researchers like Farnoud, who are interested in developing a multi-user facility at the Athens campus at OHIO.
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