Aerosol dynamics (AD) is the discipline that deals with changes in particle size distributions in space and time. AD is based on (1) certain fundamental principles embodied in a set of equations, (2) experimental methods and instrumentation and (3) numerical and computational methods. Over the last few decades, AD has emerged as an enabling discipline in the design of aerosol reactors employed in the gas phase synthesis of fine powders, the characterization of particle emissions from sources such as coal-fired power plants and the atmospheric aerosol. The development of basic AD concepts since early in the 20th century is traced to the present. Major gaps that remain in the field and likely advances over the next few years are discussed. Although accurate predictions of particle size from first principles are difficult to make in practical applications, AD principles can be used to explain trends in product properties for flame and laser ablation reactors that operate under very different temperatures and quench rates. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.