Environmental Services

Coarse mode (PM10-2.5), PM10, PM2.5 differentiation, monitoring of abrasion particles (non-exhaust), development of measurement concepts

Material Analysis

Characterization of materials, surfaces, filters, dusts and powders

Products

Sigma-2 passive sampler, boron substrate, rental of equipment for active sampling

About us: Particle Vision

Contact

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +41 76 513 70 30

Particle Vision - Understanding the invisible to improve air quality

At Particle Vision we are a passionate, versatile team with extensive experience in analyzing fine dust.

We investigate the causes of air pollution for policymakers, researchers, and companies, enabling them to take targeted measures.

Our state-of-the-art particle characterization and differentiation approach allows us to identify and quantify a wide range of particles within PM10, PM2.5 and TSP, including those emitted by road and rail traffic (such as non-exhaust tire, brake, and road wear), quarries, gravel pits, mines, industrial activities, construction sites, and natural processes.

We can help you find a quick solution to your environmental questions with a cost-effective, customized measurement concept.

Let our analysis services inspire you. We look forward to your inquiry.

+41 76 513 70 30

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Our scientific publications (peer-reviewed)

Review article on techniques to quantify tire wear particles (TWP/TRWP). This study was performed in collaboration with a team of scientists form Norway, Germany, Sweden and Australia (2023): "Analytical challenges and possibilities for the quantification of tire-road wear particles" https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2023.117121

Scientific article on the quantification of non-exhaust particles along roads. The study was performed in collaboration with scientists of the university of Mississippi (2022): "On airborne tire wear particles along roads with different traffic characteristics using passive sampling and optical microscopy, single particle SEM/EDX, and µ-ATR-FTIR analyses" https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1022697

Scientific article in collaboration with the VTI (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute) and scientists of the university of Chalmers (Sweden) on the characterization and quantification of non-exhaust particles in a road environment in Sweden (2022): "Concentrations of tire wear microplastics and other traffic-derived non-exhaust particles in the road environment" https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107618

Scientific article on the characterization of non-exhaust particles (including road marking and bitumen wear particles) in road environments. This study was performed in collaboration with the VTI (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute), scientists of the university of Chalmers (Sweden) and Gradiom Sàrl (2022): "Differentiating and Quantifying Carbonaceous (Tire, Bitumen, and Road Marking Wear) and Non-carbonaceous (Metals, Minerals, and Glass Beads) Non-exhaust Particles in Road Dust Samples from a Traffic Environment" https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05847-8

Scientific article where the automated SEM/EDX methodology for the quantification of non-exhaust and other primary particles in airborne samples is presented for the first time (2021): “Automated identification and quantification of tire wear particles (TWP) in airborne dust: SEM/EDX single particle analysis coupled to a machine learning classifier” https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149832

Scientific article on the morpho-chemical characterization of volcanic ash particles by automated SEM/EDX single particle analysis. This study was performed in collaboration with scientists of the University Los Andes (Colombia) (2020): Decrypting silicic magma/plug fragmentation at Azufral crater lake, Northern Andes: insights from fine to extremely fine ash morpho-chemistry https://rdcu.be/ca6el

Public reports

Our report commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment on the characterization of airborne dust (PM10-2.5, PM2.5-1 and >PM10) was published at the end of 2020. A summary in English can be found on pages 24-31. Download here: Details as PDF

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Thats what our customers say:

"We greatly appreciated the ability of the Particle Vision team to develop analytical and statistical methods that allowed us to better characterize fine dusts, their components and their origins. These methods will also be very useful in the future for analysing dust resulting from the abrasion of various metallic or mineral materials."

Richard Ballaman, Head of the Air Quality Section at the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN

«The Office for Nature and Environment (ANU) Graubünden has been working successfully with Particle Vision on several projects since 2014. In addition to the chemical and morphological composition of coarse and fine dust, as well as microparticles, the source contributions of dust particles could also be quantitatively determined thanks to the knowledge and technical equipment of Particle Vision. This has made it possible for the ANU Graubünden to verify the implementation of various measures in wood-burning and industrial activities. But also, in the case of dust disturbances the ANU Graubünden has been supported by Particle Vision, and it was possible to determine the sources of the dust pollution and their contributions to the dust. We can unreservedly recommend the cooperation with Particle Vision.»

Hanspeter Lötscher, ANU Graubünden

«Pleasant and very professional collaboration. State-of-the-art expertise, precious advice and passionate scientific discussions.»

Dr. Adeline Niquille - Head of Section, Air Protection, Canton of Vaud

«The Department of Air, Noise and Non-Ionizing Radiation (SABRA) / State of Geneva has called upon Particle Vision's expertise on several occasions to perform analyses on fine particles measured in the canton. These collaborations, which have highlighted Particle Vision's flexibility and professionalism, have enabled SABRA to obtain detailed information on fine particle emission sources and their composition.»

The Department of Air, Noise and Non-Ionizing Radiation (SABRA) / State of Geneva

«The Volcanology research team lead by Natalia Pardo, Associate Professor of the Department of Geosciences at the Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia, has been working delightfully with Particle Vision since 2017. In Particle Vision, we have found state-of-the-art technology, outstanding professionals with robust and innovating analytical approaches, committed and patient co-supervision and training of undergrad and MSc students, as well as profound and enriching scientific discussions allowing us to keep on the frontiers research of volcanic ash morphochemistry. Our collaborative results have been successfully presented in international meetings (Cities on Volcanoes 2018, AGU2020), and published in Q1 peer-reviewed international journals.»

Natalia Pardo, Volcanology research team, Associate Professor of the Department of Geosciences at the Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia