Relationship to Aspects of Materials Sciences, Biophysics, and Solar Collector Technology

8 Relationship to Aspects of Materials Sciences, Biophysics, and Solar Collector Technology 

As is clear from the material discussed in Sect.1.2, the divisions of aerosol microphysics are not of unique relevance only to aerosols but are rather a refinement of more general fields of research. It is, therefore, of interest to note that exactly these same categories of research are necessary in other, nonaerosol related work. A few of the innumerable areas are mentioned. 

One of the problems with solar-radiation heat collectors has been their inefficient collection of the short-wavelength component of the solar spectrum. When a conventional metallic collector is coated with very fine particles which are absorptive at short wavelengths, the resultant heat generated in the particles can be dissipated by conduction to the collector [1.44]. Both particle optical interactions and microphysics play roles in the design of such particles, and interaction forces are useful for their immobilization. 

In biophysics, the questions of cellular and membrane interactions are important. Here, particle interaction forces are very similar, and much the same type of treatment is of relevance in both cases [1.45-47]. 

In materials science, both the preparation of composite materials and the conditions of use, e.g., catalysts, require access to methods of value for aerosol microphysics. In the former case, aerosol interaction forces play a role not only in understanding the agglomeration properties of the components of the composite, but also in describing the potential for spreading of the interstitial material 

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