Our aerosol scientists are experienced in computer simulation, laboratory experiments, and field studies as well as in handling a broad range of airborne materials, including powders, fibers, toxic chemicals, nanomaterials, radionuclides, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. We also have BSL-3 labs to perform tests using live agents. Our facilities are unique because we can handle hazardous materials that many laboratories cannot.
LRRI provides a distinct ability to apply all of these technologies in an ABSL-3 and/or a BSL-3 setting for use with live agents. This allows our facility to work with nearly any aerosol material regardless of hazards.
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Key Capabilities:
Drug Delivery and Inhalation Therapy
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Characterizing the performance of nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, and nasal sprays
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Deposition patterns in realistic airway casts of the human nasal, oral, and tracheobronchial regions
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Deposition pattern using gamma scintigraphy
Generation and Characterization
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Design and test vapor and aerosol dissemination equipment for special test facilities
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Design and test dissemination methods for simulants, live agents, chemical agents, and radioactive materials
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Develop sampling strategy and instrumentation for monitoring live agents, chemical agents, and radioactive materials
Design and Test of Air Sampling Instruments
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Calibration of aerosol sampling instruments including personal samplers and aerosol collectors in wind tunnel facilities
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Calibrate bioaerosol detectors with simulants and live agents
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Evaluate chemical detectors with simulants and chemical agents
Characterization of Radioactive Material
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Dissolution rates of radioactive materials
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Biokinetics of inhaled radioactive materials in lab animals
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Evaluation of continuous air monitors using radioactive aerosols
Decontamination and Personal Protection Equipment
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Evaluate decontamination technology using chemical/biological simulants and live agents
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Evaluate respirator performance using simulants and live agents
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Evaluate air cleaners, filters, and control technologies for particulate matter
Stack Monitoring in Nuclear Facilities
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Perform field studies to qualify stack sampling locations Design scaled stack models and perform qualification tests following the ANSI N13.1-1999 requirements
Inhalation Studies - Exposure Facilities/Equipment
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Over 30,000 square feet of specialized laboratories for conducting exposures
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Over 100 whole-body exposure chambers
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26 nose-only exposure chambers (24- to 96-port)
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Capabilities of operating exposure systems with up to 13 whole-body chambers/room, or 6 nose-only chambers/room
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Expertise in conducting nasal, oral, or whole-body inhalation exposures of laboratory animals (including rodents, dogs, non-human primates) and human subjects
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Capabilities for conducting GLP-compliant inhalation toxicity studies
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Acute, subchronic (90 day), chronic (18 mo up to 30 mo)
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Capabilities for generating gases, vapors, powders, fibers, mists, combustion products, hazardous, toxic, and radioactive exposure atmospheres
Specialized Facilities
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Aerosol wind tunnels for evaluation of sampling instrumentation
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Bioaerosol chambers for evaluating biodetectors and dissemination techniques
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Special laboratory for testing chemical agents
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BSL-3 facilities for live agents
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Radiation laboratories for working with radioactive aerosols
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Gamma scintigraphy laboratory