Abstract: An apparatus and system for detecting and measuring particles entrained in an air stream. The apparatus and system include an enclosure configured to define an aerosol sampling path and an optical path. The aerosol sampling path allows an air stream having entrained particles to pass therethrough. The aerosol sampling path intersects with the optical path. The intersection defines a sensing region. The sensing region may use a band pass filter to improve signal to noise ratio. At least one flow rate sensor may be located near the sensing region. A light source provides a light beam along the optical path. The light beam intersects with the air stream in the sensing region, wherein the light beam may be scattered by entrained particles contained in the aerosol sampling path.

Abstract: A portable environment quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an environment and for attaching to a user's clothing or jewelry. The enclosure includes a controlled airflow intake for receiving air from the environment in which the monitor is worn for forming an airflow sampling path and for laminarizing the airflow in the sampling path. A sensor, having a sensing region that directs the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A processor is connected to a light scattering aerosol spectrometer (LSAS) that is configured to receive, process and translate photodiode current peaks into particle counts and sizes detected in the air. The processor is also coupled to a memory for storing data corresponding to the particle counts and sizes detected in the environment. The processor further includes an interface to communicate with a host for allowing a user to monitor and track environment conditions.

Abstract: A portable ambient air quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an ambient environment and an airflow intake for controllably allowing ambient air to enter the monitor. A photodiode is disposed at a location downstream from a fan. The airflow from the fan is laminarized by a mesh or baffle to allow a thin stream of air to flow over the photodiode. A sensing region is defined by an intersection of an airflow sampling path and an optical path. The sensing region is also disposed above the photodiode. The airflow sampling path is configured to receive laminar airflow from the airflow intake and for directing the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A light beam is generated from a laser to reflect the light beam for reducing the required area of the sensing region to detect and measure the particles floating in the ambient air.

Abstract: A portable environment quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an environment and for attaching to a user's clothing or jewelry. The enclosure includes a controlled airflow intake for receiving air from the environment in which the monitor is worn for forming an airflow sampling path and for laminarizing the airflow in the sampling path. A sensor, having a sensing region that directs the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A processor is connected to a light scattering aerosol spectrometer (LSAS) that is configured to receive, process and translate photodiode current peaks into particle counts and sizes detected in the air. The processor is also coupled to a memory for storing data corresponding to the particle counts and sizes detected in the environment. The processor further includes an interface to communicate with a host for allowing a user to monitor and track environment conditions.

Abstract: A portable ambient air quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an ambient environment and an airflow intake for controllably allowing ambient air to enter the monitor. A photodiode is disposed at a location downstream from a fan. The airflow from the fan is laminarized by a mesh or baffle to allow a thin stream of air to flow over the photodiode. A sensing region is defined by an intersection of an airflow sampling path and an optical path. The sensing region is also disposed above the photodiode. The airflow sampling path is configured to receive laminar airflow from the airflow intake and for directing the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A light beam is generated from a laser to reflect the light beam for reducing the required area of the sensing region to detect and measure the particles floating in the ambient air.