Nanoparticle Generation at the Push of a Button

The VSP-G1 nanoparticle generator, from VSParticle, provides a platform for generating contaminant-free, size-tuned nanoparticles in a controlled and repeatable way. Utilizing spark ablation technology, nanoparticles are produced in the gas-phase under ambient temperature and pressure via a purely physical process free of solvents. Nanoparticles can be produced from any conductive or semiconductive material. Simply by flowing in a small amount of oxygen, oxide particle can also be generated

Working Principle: Spark Ablation

Spark ablation is a remarkably simple process. The technology was first reported in 1988 by VSParticle’s co-founder, Andres Schmidt-Ott, and has gained significant interest within multiple fields of nanotechnology since.

The only inputs needed to produce a continuous aerosol using spark ablation are electricity, an inert carrier gas, and a pair of (semi)conductive electrodes. A high voltage is applied across the electrode gap to ablate the electrode material(s). The stream of inert gas carries ablated material from the electrode surface to downstream modules, where the particles can either be collected on various substrates, directly flown into measurement systems (e.g. DMA) or coupled to a printer for directed deposition.

Typical Applications

• Heterogeneous catalysis
• Model catalyst development
• Photocatalysis
• Electrocatalysis
• Additive manufacturing

• Green hydrogen production
• Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) chip fabrication
• MOx sensors
• Toxicology

Enabling Pioneers in
Catalysis Research

Accelerating Material Discovery with
VSParticle Technology