Automated particle collection off of fan blades into a liquid buffer

An apparatus to collect airborne particles into a liquid solution, the apparatus comprising:

• a. a fan assembly including a fan motor coupled to one or more fan blades, wherein the fan motor and the one or more fan blades are configured to rotate in a first rotational direction thereby generating airflow past the fan blades in a first direction that is perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the one or more fan blades, wherein the airflow includes particles that adhere to the fan blades, and to rotate in a second rotational direction thereby generating airflow past the fan blades in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, further wherein the fan assembly further comprises a fan housing including an upper rim, the upper rim is positioned proximate to an outer edge of the one or more fan blades;
• b. a fluid dispensing tube configured to dispense fluid onto a hub of the fan blades while the fan motor is rotating in the second rotational direction, thereby forcing the fluid and the particles to an outer edge of the fan blades;
• and
• c. a fluid collector coupled to the upper rim of the fan assembly to collect the fluid and particles forced from the fan blades.

A method of collecting airborne particles into a liquid solution, the method comprising:

• a. rotating fan blades in a first rotational direction, thereby generating airflow past the fan blades in a first direction, wherein the airflow includes particles to be collected;
• b. collecting the particles on the fan blades while rotating the fan blades in the first rotational direction;
• c. rotating the fan blades in a second rotational direction, thereby generating airflow past the fan blades in a second direction;
• d. dispensing a fluid onto the fan blades while rotating the fan blades in the second direction, wherein the fluid and the particles are centripetally forced towards and off the edge of the fan blades;
• and
• e. collecting the fluid and the particles forced off the edge of the fan blades.