Priya Chopra is a PhD student at the University of Hertfordshire and part of the third cohort in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science. She studied ambient air pollution during her Physics undergraduate degree at the University of Delhi. She developed expertise in characterisation techniques, including low-temperature Fourier spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction, during her Master’s Physics project at the University of Bonn. 

What are you working on within the Hub?

My PhD focuses on developing a novel aerosol collection device, the Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP). Unlike Hertfordshire’s existing ESP, which collects aerosols onto a glass surface, the WESP collects ambient aerosols into charged liquid droplets. Liquid interfaces offer gentler surfaces, improving sample viability. By combining theoretical, computational and experimental work, we achieve electrostatic lensing to attract charged aerosols into the charged droplets, which can be manoeuvred for recovery and downstream analysis. 

What is the impact of your research so far?

Beyond designing and developing the WESP, I undertook a significant amount of preparatory work to create the testing architecture. I developed a miniaturised aerosol ‘box’ and the MiniAero Zone (MAZ) for the WESP prototype. They offer a unique alternative to a large, standard bioaerosol testing rig, allowing the testing of different system components without the risk of contamination. We also developed SURFACE (Selective Upper Region For Aerosol Collection Electrostatically), a state-of-the-art collection plate for containing charged droplets and enabling electrostatic lensing. With Hub funding, there are plans to further optimise the WESP by automating the addition of the liquid interface to the collection plate.

What has been the highlight of your research career to date?

We had a clear vision for the WESP project, and it is incredibly satisfying to see it come to fruition through truly multidisciplinary teamwork. It was a demanding process with many moving parts – I pushed my limits and I’m hugely thankful to the people around me for helping me complete the experimentation successfully. I’m especially proud that the SURFACE in the WESP, MAZ and aerosol box will all support further innovation across the Hub.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy all sorts of music, with an inclination towards hip-hop, house, techno and instrumental beats – I’ve been thinking that one day, I’d like to make my own (maybe!). I like exploring new and old places on foot, with a knack for always being curious. Recently, I have developed an interest in global markets and finance