The invention relates to a particle detection device and a method for detecting particles in a fluid by means of separation. A channel structure is arranged for separating an incoming flow into a major flow comprising a minor portion of particles above the first predetermined size and a minor flow comprising a major portion of particles above the predetermined size. One or more detectors are arranged for detecting particles in the major flow and minor flow. The channel structure further comprises a choked flow restriction arranged for enabling a constant flow independent of pressure conditions.

One variation of a method includes, during a calibration period: triggering collection of an initial bioaerosol sample by an air sampler located in an environment; and triggering dispensation of a tracer test load by a dispenser located in the environment; accessing a detected barcode level of a barcode detected in the initial bioaerosol sample; accessing a true barcode level of the barcode contained in the tracer test load; and deriving a calibration factor for the environment based on a difference between the detected barcode level and the true barcode level. The method further includes, during a live period succeeding the calibration period: triggering collection of a first bioaerosol sample by the air sampler; accessing a detected pathogen level of a pathogen detected in the first bioaerosol sample; and interpreting a predicted pathogen level of the pathogen in the environment based on the detected pathogen level and the calibration factor.

A portable sampling device includes a sampling housing at least partially enclosing an inner chamber; at least one pumping element disposed within the inner chamber and configured to facilitate airflow through the device; and at least one gas sensor disposed within the inner chamber and configured to detect and/or characterize one or more gases in the airflow.

The invention provides a device and method for the real-time detection of aeropathogens. The device includes an aerosampler having an air inlet and at least one collector tube, a microfluidic system which includes a container, piping, a micro pump for flowing a liquid and a viral detection chamber. The viral detection chamber has an electrode which may be equipped with functionalized bio sensors, a counter electrode, an electronic detection system connectable to the electrodes of the viral detection chamber, and an embedded electronic processing system for processing data from the electronic detection system.

One variation of a pathogen detection system includes an air sampler and a cartridge. The air sampler includes: a housing defining an inlet and an outlet; a tunnel arranged within the housing and extending between the inlet and the outlet; a charge electrode arranged within the tunnel proximal the inlet; a cartridge receptacle arranged proximal the outlet and comprising a cartridge terminal; and a power supply configured to drive a voltage between the charge electrode and the cartridge terminal. The cartridge includes: a substrate; a collector plate arranged on the substrate and configured to collect charged bioaerosols moving through the tunnel; and a connector configured to transiently engage the cartridge receptacle to locate the substrate and the collector plate within the tunnel and electrically couple the collector plate to the cartridge terminal.

An apparatus for measuring aerosol particles includes a charging unit to form charged particles by charging particles of an aerosol sample flow by diffusion charging, and a collecting unit to provide an electric current by collecting charges from the charged particles by diffusion of the charged particles, the electric current being indicative of number density of aerosol particles of the aerosol sample flow.

The internal pressure of the collecting unit is maintained at a reduced value in order to provide a flat response of the electric current for detecting nanoparticles of different sizes.

One variation of a method for detecting pathogens in an environment includes, during a first sampling period: triggering collection of a pathogen sample from ambient air in the environment by an air sampler; and tracking a first organic load of the first pathogen sample via a detection subsystem integrated within the air sampler, the first organic load representative of a first amount of organic matter present in the first pathogen sample. In response to the first organic load exceeding a threshold organic load defined for the environment, the method further includes: interpreting presence of a set of pathogens in the environment via genetic analysis of the first pathogen sample; and, in response to detecting presence of a first pathogen, in the set of pathogens, in the first pathogen sample, transmitting a notification indicating presence of the first pathogen in the environment to a user associated with the environment.

A automated multiple air sampler comprising a pump connected to a manifold, the manifold branching off to a plurality of conduits, each of the conduits connected to a corresponding cassette via a corresponding valve element, each cassette comprising an inlet exposed to the ambient air, an outlet fluidly connected to the conduit, and a filter element between the inlet and the outlet and a controller configured to open and close the valve elements independently from one another. The air sampler permitting sampling ambient air by receiving a indication that the ambient air is to be sampled, the controller operating one of the valve elements, including opening the valve element and closing the valve element, receiving another indication that the ambient air is to be sampled, the controller repeating the step of operating for another one of the valve elements, and tracking the operation of the valve elements.

A fine-particle sampling device for sampling fine particles in a liquid includes a tubular first electrode whose both ends in an axial direction thereof are open; a second electrode extending in the axial direction of the first electrode and disposed in the inside of the first electrode to be spaced from an inner surface of the first electrode; a supplier that supplies a liquid to the inside of the first electrode and causes the liquid to be stored at a portion of the inner surface in a direction around an axis B of the first electrode; a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; a driver that rotates the first electrode around a rotational axis extending in the axial direction of the first electrode and passing through the inside of the first electrode; and a retriever that retrieves the stored liquid.

A particle sensing device is disclosed for sensing particles entrained in a gas, distribution of particle sizes including a first size range (e.g. PM2.5) and a second size range (e.g. PM10), larger than the first size range. A thermophoretic impulse is applied to the entrained particles. The device has a a first sensor, downstream of the thermophoretic impulse region. The thermophoretic impulse, the flow of gas and gravity combine to cause at least some of the particles to follow respective trajectories within the sampling volume. An interception unit is interposed between the thermophoretic impulse region and the first sensor, to intercept the respective trajectories of particles of the second size range but not respective trajectories of particles of the first size range. The first sensor is located to intercept and detect the respective trajectories of particles of the first size range.