an aerosol sample collector with an air flow path comprising : at a first segment thereof , a particle charging device , and at a second segment thereof , deflection plates configured to focus particles of a desired charge into a preselected cross - section of the air flow path . the air flow path also includes charged substrates arranged at an outflow portion of the air flow path to collect charged particles on a collection surface of the charged substrates ; and an exit path for flowing particles not in the preselected cross - section of the air flow path away from the charged substrates . related methods are also provided .