3 minute read
Jody Cheong, higher scientist at NPL, was nominated for her inter-laboratory study which presents a newly developed method to look at the emissions released from the use of brakes in vehicles.
Each time the brakes are engaged in a vehicle, tiny particles are released from the friction. These particles contribute to pollution and reduced air quality, contributing to the negative health impacts caused by emissions. These non‑exhaust emissions (those coming from brake wear, tyre wear, road surface wear and resuspended dust) now represent the dominant source of vehicle‑related particulate pollution and contribute significantly to the UK’s air‑quality‑related public health burden.
Jody’s work has created a, traceable tandem inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS/MS) method that safely and accurately characterises the metal composition of brake‑wear particles, allowing scientists to pick apart exactly what comprises particulate matter.
An awarding body comprising experts from across the science sector recognised and rewarded the work for its improvement in the use of cellulose ester membrane filters, which simplifies sample digestion and allows for the use of safer reagents (nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide) instead of hydrofluoric acid which poses more significant health and safety risks. Validation was achieved through the first inter‑laboratory comparison of brake‑wear chemical composition involving both academic and industry labs.
Her work seeks to develop a reliable and standardised method for characterising brake‑wear particulate emissions, addressing the analytical challenges posed by their complex chemical composition.
Jody and her team now aim to validate the new methodology across a larger dataset and work with industry partners to apply the methodology to real-world settings, ultimately contributing to environmental and air quality targets.
STEM for BRITAIN is a major scientific poster competition and exhibition which has been held in Parliament since 1997, and is organised by the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee. It aims to give members of both Houses of Parliament an insight into the outstanding research work being undertaken in UK universities by early-career researchers.
18 Mar 2026