PACS/TREAS2 - Handix Scientific Inc.

Portable Aerosol Composition Spectrometer

PACS1110 Industrial Model

Purpose

The PACS1110/TREAS-2 is a compact, field-portable aerosol
composition analyzer designed for near-real-time chemical characterization of airborne particulate matter. The system combines a Mixing Condensation Aerosol Collector (MCAC) with tandem Raman and Spark Emission Spectroscopy (SES) to collect aerosol particles onto a rotating electrode for sequential molecular and elemental analysis.

This integrated approach enables sensitive characterization of a broad range of aerosol species without the delays associated with conventional filter collection and laboratory analysis.

Applications:

Occupational aerosol exposure monitoring
Industrial hygiene and workplace air-quality assessment
Welding and metalworking aerosol characterization
Crystalline silica and mineral dust monitoring
Combustion and carbonaceous aerosol analysis

Tandem Raman and Elemental Aerosol Spectrometer, Model 2

TREAS-2
Research Model

Features

Specifications

Prototype Instrument. Contact Handix Scientific for additional information.

High-efficiency ultrafine aerosol collection using MCAC condensational-growth technology with automated sequential analysis on a rotating tungsten electrode/substrate.

Tandem molecular + elemental analysis using Raman and Spark Emission Spectroscopy.

Automated near-real-time operation, including sample collection, analysis, and ablation (electrode cleaning).

High chemical specificity, demonstrated for silica, TiO₂, carbonaceous aerosols, diesel particulate matter, welding fumes, and Cr(III)/Cr(VI) differentiation.

Portable, enclosed frame for benchtop lab or field deployment.

Aerosol Collection	Mixing Condensation Aerosol Collector (MCAC)
Sampling Flow Rate	1–10 LPM
MCAC Collection Efficiency	>95% for 8–300 nm particles. Additional conditions mid-testing, contact Handix Scientific for more information.
Collection Electrode	Rotating tungsten electrode
Measurement	Raman + Spark Emission Spectroscopy
Raman Excitation	Dual wavelength, 784.7 nm and 785.2 nm
Raman Spectral Range	200–3200 cm⁻¹
Raman Resolution	4.3 cm⁻¹
Spark Emission Range	245–719 nm
Analysis Cycle	1 min demonstrated
Operation	Automated collection–analysis–ablation cycle
User Interface	Integrated touchscreen
Dimensions	28 × 28 × 19 cm (H × W × D)
Weight	TBD

Specifications subject to change without notice. Technology is licensed from NIOSH/CDC (Zervaki and Kulkarni,
Patent Application #US20250130140A1)

Current Demonstrated Performance

Analyte

Raman LOD

Spark Emission LOD

α-Quartz

TiO2

420 ng (42 µg/m³)

155 ng (15.5 µg/m³)

900 ng (90 µg/m³)

250 ng (25 µg/m³)

Aerosol Species Identification

Performance Metrics

Demonstrated differentiation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in welding fume.

Crystalline silica
Titanium dioxide
Carbonaceous aerosols
Mixed mineral dusts
Welding fumes

Chromium oxidation-state differentiation

Demonstrated Elemental Detection

Additional identification to be reported in upcoming whitepaper.

Kulkarni, P., Pugh, N., Zervaki, O., Rishi, K., & Devarakonda, S. (2026). Tandem Raman and Elemental Aerosol Spectrometer (TREAS) for Near-Real-Time Aerosol Chemical Speciation. Analytical Chemistry, 98(16), 11923-11934. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c08252

Zervaki O., Dionysiou D. D., & Kulkarni P. (2024). Compact, high-flow, water-based, turbulent-mixing, condensation aerosol concentrator for collection of spot samples. Aerosol Science and Technology, 58(8), 889–901.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2024.2361050

Key References:

Molecular / Compound Identification

Advanced Speciation

How does it work?