The invention relates to a method for determination of ambient mineral dust concentration based on optical absorption of particles concentrated by a virtual impactor as well as a device performing the said method. The method comprises the following steps: Sampling air samples with particle size smaller than 1 μm (PM.sub.1) and sampling air samples with particle size up to 10 μm; Concentrating the samples with particle sizes up to 10 μm with a virtual impactor; Measuring optical absorption of collected samples at least one wavelength from UV to IR spectre, preferably from 370 to 950 nm, most preferably at 370 nm; Subtracting the absorption of the samples with particle size smaller than 1 μm from the absorption of the sample concentrated by the virtual impactor.

A method and system of determining a filter life are disclosed. In examples, a method comprises capturing aerosol particles on a filter and measuring absorbance spectra of the aerosol particles captured on the filter. The method further comprises identifying one or more aerosol particle types based on the measured absorbance spectra and determining a mass accumulation of each of the one or more aerosol particle types based on the measured absorbance spectra and the aerosol particle type. The method further comprises determining a median particle size of each of the one or more aerosol particle types based on the measured absorbance spectra and the aerosol particle type and determining a filter life based on the determined mass accumulation and the determined median particle size of each of the one or more aerosol particle types.

A method and system of determining air quality are disclosed. In examples, a method comprises identifying one or more aerosol particle types based on an absorbance spectra of aerosol particles captured on a filter and determining a mass concentration of each of the one or more aerosol particle types based on the absorbance spectra and the aerosol particle type. The method further comprises detecting a median particle size of each of the one or more aerosol particle types based on a rate of change of the absorbance spectra and the aerosol particle type. The method further comprises determining an air quality metric based on the identified one or more aerosol particle types, the determined mass concentration of each of the one or more aerosol particle types, and the determined median particle size of each of the one or more aerosol particle types.

The present invention provides a brake dust measurement system that can accurately measure an amount of brake dust produced. The brake dust measurement system, in which a specimen having a brake is placed in a chamber and which measures brake dust produced from the brake, includes a sampling unit that samples air inside the chamber, an elemental analysis unit that performs elemental analysis of sampled air sampled by the sampling unit, a storage unit that stores elemental content information of a single or multiple elements contained in the brake, and a calculation unit that calculates an amount of brake dust contained in the sampled air on the basis of elemental analysis results of the elemental analysis unit and the elemental content information.

A particulate matter sensor including a light source, a photodetector, and a particle filter. The light source and the photodetector are arranged in the same plane as the particle filter. Integrated particulate matter sensors are operable to detect particulate matter by measuring an optical characteristic of a filter.

The present invention provides a wide-area sample-based reader design which serves as a diagnostic detection device for bio-particles.

Equipment for the control of the industrial contamination of industrial components comprising at least one base frame; and an extraction unit/device/component of contaminating impurities from at least one industrial component, mounted on the base frame and provided with a washing unit/device/component of the industrial component by way of an operating fluid adapted to remove the contaminating impurities from said industrial component, the operating fluid mixing with the contaminating impurities to obtain an operating mixture following the washing of the industrial component; and a preparation unit/device/component of at least one analysis sample of the contaminating impurities removed from the industrial component starting from the operating mixture, wherein the equipment comprises an analysis unit/device/component of the analysis sample mounted on the base frame and adapted to detect at least one analytical data which is characteristic of the contaminating impurities.

Various embodiments are directed to a device for detecting fluid particle characteristics comprising: a collection fluid dispense assembly configured to selectively dispense a volume of collection fluid onto an absorbent media disposed within an internal sensor portion of a fluid composition sensor, producing a collection media based on interaction between the volume of collection fluid and the absorbent media; and a controller configured to determine, based on a particle image captured by an imaging device, a particle characteristic associated with a particle captured at the collection media. In various embodiments a device is configured to receive therein a collection media comprising a biologically nutritive substance; and may comprise an imaging device and a controller configured to determine a biological particle characteristic based on a comparison of first particle data and second particle data generated by the imaging device, the second particle data being associated with an incubated particle configuration.

A mold sensor is configured with an enclosed chamber in which a nutrient-treated substrate is positioned. The mold sensor includes a sensing system that is configured to measure properties of pressure waves within the enclosed chamber. A controller operates the sensing system and is programmed to detect a presence of mold growing in the chamber based on the characteristics of the pressure wave response within the chamber.

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.