The Violi Group developed a software suite to predict the formation and growth of nanoparticles. Toxic nanoparticles are produced in voluminous amounts during manufacturing processes and combustion. The fundamentals of their formation are not well understood, but it is of paramount importance that we gain a deeper knowledge in order to ameliorate the deleterious impacts they have on human health and the environment. We have demonstrated the integral role oxygen chemistry plays in the formation of carbonaceous particles and predict their dominant growth pathways in flames.