The following is an apparatus and a method that enables the automated collection and identification of airborne particulate matter comprising dust, pollen grains, mold spores, bacterial cells, and soot from a gaseous medium comprising the ambient air. Once ambient air is inducted into the apparatus, aerosol particulates are acquired and imaged under a novel lighting environment that is used to highlight diagnostic features of the acquired airborne particulate matter. Identity determinations of acquired airborne particulate matter are made based on captured images. Abundance quantifications can be made using identity classifications. Raw and summary information are communicated across a data network for review or further analysis by a user. Other than routine maintenance or subsequent analyses, the basic operations of the apparatus may use, but do not require the active participation of a human operator.

A fluidic testing platform and methods of its operation are described. The fluidic cartridge includes a first fluidic channel and a wheel assembly coupled to the first fluidic channel. The wheel assembly includes a center portion coupled to the first fluidic channel and designed to deliver fluid through one or more second fluidic channels that radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly also includes a third fluidic channel arranged in a closed loop and one or more capillaries coupled to an outer surface of the third fluidic channel and arranged to radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly is designed to rotate such that fluid is forced outward from the center portion through the one or more capillaries.

A colorimetric sensor for drugs and an associated method provide for delivery of particles to the sensor and a colorimetric reagent containing element having a plurality of dyes structured to provide a color change when the airborne particles indicate the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl analogues. The color change may be monitored by an optical identifier which delivers responsive information to a programmable controller which, in turn, may activate a visual alarm or an audible alarm.

A sensing sensor includes a main body portion, a piezoelectric resonator, a connecting terminal, and an information storage. The main body portion includes a supply region to which the sample solution is supplied. The piezoelectric resonator is disposed to face the supply region and includes a capturing layer that captures a sensing object. The connecting terminal is configured to attachably/detachably connect a conductive path connected to an electrode of the piezoelectric resonator to a frequency measuring unit. The information storage stores calibration curve information to specify a calibration curve that indicates a relationship between a density of the sensing object and a frequency variation amount of the piezoelectric resonator before and after supplying the sample solution.

Embodiments relate to a system for particulate matter collection and analysis. The embodiments include system components and an associated control system. One or more of the components are dynamically adjustable. Fluid flow is captured by a capture medium positioned relative to a fluid channel, and particulate matter present within the fluid flow is acquired. An image capture device is employed to analyze captured particulate matter. In addition, a modifiable component is provided relative to the capture medium, the fluid channel and the image capture device. The control system is provided in communication with the system components and functions to provide and support dynamic adjustment of one or more of the modifiable component, image capture device, or capture medium in response to the acquired particulate matter and analysis thereof.

Microfabricated particulate matter (PM) monitors and fractionators within the PM monitors are provided. A primary channel of a vertical or out-of-plane fractionator receives air samples, comprising particles of varying sizes, from the external environment. The air samples then pass through a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein inertial forces are applied within the microfluidic channels to separate the particles by size. The fractionator comprises a horizontal air outlet for particles having a size below a threshold size and a vertical air outlet for particles having a size above a threshold size. Thus, the proportion of PM in the air sample is reduced prior to deposition on a PM monitor. A virtual cyclone may also be provided that comprises a bend positioned at a flow path through a primary channel of the vertical microfabricated fractionator.

A method includes projecting light to obtain a reference measurement using a first photoresistor; collecting dust on a platform during a collection time interval; and projecting light across the platform to obtain a dust measurement using the first photoresistor or a second photoresistor.

Disclosed is a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of collecting samples of particulates. Also disclosed a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of generating data associated with the collection of the samples of particulates. Also disclosed is a system and method for analysing the sample data to identify the particulates in the collected samples and their one or more characteristics which may be correlated with the surrounding environment.

A sensor device includes: a support structure having a cantilever shape extending in a first direction and having a first end fixed; a sensing element having a surface and a resonant frequency changing according to contaminants adsorbed to the surface and disposed at a second end of the support structure; a frequency detector configured to detect the resonant frequency of the sensing element; and an actuator disposed at the one end of the support structure and configured to move the support structure so that the second end of the support structure moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Systems and methods for monitoring air particulate matter are provided herein that capture particles from the air for analysis. Particles are captured using electrostatic and/or mechanical means to deflect particles toward a substrate. Electrostatic precipitation causes charged carriers to deflect towards a charged substrate. Filtration-based means employ filters and/or fibers to capture particles from air flowing therethrough. A sensor such as a camera is used to read the captured particles. An illumination source directs light towards the substrate, causing the particles to scatter light, which the sensor can detect and derive information or imaging therefrom, which can also be used for further particle or pollution analyses. The substrate can be replenished using electrostatic techniques such as reverse electrostatic force, or mechanical means such as cleaning using a brush or replacing a tape substrate. Dynamic PM monitoring detects and makes adjustments such as those related to air volume, imaging characteristics and substrate replenishment.