10.17863/CAM.12157
Zielinski, Arthur
0000-0002-2997-2175
Weckman, Nicole E
Jones, Roderic
0000-0002-6761-3966
Kalberer, Markus
0000-0001-8885-6556
Seshia, Ashwin
0000-0001-9305-6879
Extending the Lifetime of Resonant Atmospheric Particulate Mass Sensors With Solvent Rinses
Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository (staging)
2017
Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository (staging)
Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository (staging)
2017-10
Article
2475-1472
The cleaning of a collection-based sensor extends its lifetime and reduces its effective cost. Existing cleaning regimes for silicon-based devices typically require access to large laboratory equipment. A simple cleaning method based on solvent rinses is presented here for the application of microresonator atmospheric particulate mass sensors. The suggested approach is intended for scenarios with limited access to laboratory equipment. Two piezoelectric resonator topologies (in-plane bulk mode and out-of-plane flexural) collected particles via impaction for an hour before rinsing. The solvent rinses reset the resonant frequency and quality factor of each resonator to within 0.4% and 10% of their original values, respectively. Subsequent mass collections were largely repeatable despite fluctuations in particle concentration and deposition location. The presented method provides a straightforward but effective cleaning method for soluble particulate removal. A physical cleaning method is required after substantial insoluble particle adsorption.