Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting fluid particle characteristics. The device comprises a fluid composition sensor configured to receive a volume of fluid and a controller. The fluid composition sensor comprises a collection media configured to receive one or more particles of a plurality of particles within the fluid; and an imaging device configured to capture an image of one or more particles of the plurality of particles received by the collection media. The controller is configured to determine a particle impaction depth of each of the one or more particles of the plurality of particles within the collection media; and, based at least in part on the particle impaction depth of each of the one or more particles of the plurality of particles, determine a particulate matter mass concentration within the volume of fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for collecting, washing and drying solid particle samples used in collecting the solid particle samples in sample collection work in the fields of industrial production and scientific research, and particularly relates to a method and device for collecting, washing and drying solid particles by pneumatic conveying. A method for collecting, washing and drying solid particles by pneumatic conveying comprises: collecting and conveying a sample mixture containing solid particles into a solid particle collecting and processing device by a pneumatic conveying airflow; then disturbing and diluting the collected sample mixture containing solid particles in the solid particle collecting and processing device by the pneumatic conveying airflow and a washing liquid to filter and wash solid particle samples. The present invention overcomes the problems in the prior art: washing and drying to realize automatic one-stop completion of collection.

Abstract: A VOC detecting and warning method is provided. Firstly, an actuating-and-sensing module having a gas transportation actuator and a gas sensor is provided. Then, the gas transportation actuator guides a specified amount of gas to the gas sensor for obtaining plural monitored values, each of which is generated according to a result of detecting volatile organic compounds of the gas in each monitoring time interval by the gas sensor. All the monitored values obtained in a unit time period are added together, so that an accumulated comparison value is obtained. If the accumulated comparison value is determined greater than an injury threshold defined according to the VOC inhalation amount affecting the health of a human body, the actuating-and-sensing module issues a warning notification to notify the user to take protective measures.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a collection media assembly for receiving one or more particles from a volume of fluid within a fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the collection media assembly comprises a housing, a transparent substrate, a collection media disposed upon the transparent substrate and configured to receive one or more particles from a volume of fluid received through a fluid inlet; and at least one alignment feature. The housing defines an open lower end configured for interaction with an imaging device, such that the one or more particles received by the collection media are visible through the transparent substrate from the open lower end. Each of the at least one alignment features is configured to engage a corresponding element disposed within the fluid composition sensor so as to constrain relative movement between the collection media assembly and the corresponding element in at least a first direction.

Abstract: An optical analysis box for a flow cytometry system that includes: a plurality of connected walls defining a volume; a connection interface associated with at least one of the walls and configured to connect with an imaging device; a sample receiver configured to hold a fluid sample in the volume; and an analysis region having an aperture configured to align with an imaging element of a connected imaging device, the analysis region being positioned such that gravity forces flow of the held fluid sample past the aperture for imaging by the imaging device.

Abstract: A laboratory instrument comprising a single base plate is presented. The single base plate comprises at least one embedded consumable compartment, an embedded sample processing compartment, an embedded waste compartment, an embedded activation device compartment, an embedded rack receiving compartment, or a combination thereof. A laboratory system and a method adjusting the positioning of at least one pipetting device or handling device of a laboratory instrument or laboratory system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Particles are exhaled in the breath of animals. The nature and amounts of the particles can be indicative of certain medical conditions. They can therefore be collected, sorted according to size or mass and used in the diagnosis of one or more medical conditions. The invention provides a method and system for collecting and sorting exhaled particles and a method for diagnosis using said exhaled particles.

Abstract: An inertial filter to be disposed in the air flow path of a stream of air containing nanoparticles includes plural particle classifying sheets having plural mesh-like holes are disposed in the air flow path. The plural particle classifying sheets are stacked on each other in a manner that a part of at least one of the particle classifying sheets overlaps with the other particle classifying sheet. The inertial filter can adjust a classification diameter by adjusting a shadow area ratio on a projection view obtained by virtually projecting the plural particle classifying sheets from a downstream side to an upstream side of the air flow path.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator has a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. A nozzle structure in the housing has a plurality of nozzles that receive the gas-liquid stream and accelerate the gas-liquid stream therethrough to create a plurality of gas-liquid jets. An inertial collector in the housing causes a sharp directional change of the gas-liquid jets, causing separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream to produce the gas stream. The inertial collector has a porous collection substrate. According to the present disclosure, at least one of the following three conditions is met: (a) the porous collection substrate comprises fibers of small diameter and has low packing density; (b) the porous collection substrate comprises oleophobic fibers; and (c) the nozzle structure and the inertial collector are configured to allow for full expansion of the plurality of gas-liquid jets.

Abstract: An air sampler device has a top plate and a bottom plate, and receives a Petri dish between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top plate includes 283 substantially small holes. The bottom plate has a deepened center well formed in the top surface. Elongated slots are formed in the top surface which extend out from the well. The slots have distal ends which extend beyond the Petri dish. Air is drawn into the sampler by a vacuum tube through an air port which communicates with the center well. Air is pulled into the 283 holes in the top plate and strikes the capture material in the Petri dish. The air then travels up over the sides of the dish, into the distal ends, through the slots, and into the center well, where it exits out of the vacuum air port.

Abstract: A portable nanoparticle sampler for collecting respirable particulate matters and nanoparticles is composed of a tangential flow cyclone, a multi-microorifice impactor and a filter cassette. The tangential flow cyclone can remove the microparticles with cutoff aerodynamic diameter (dpa) larger than 4 ?m and guide the airflow to the multi-microorifice impactor located below the cyclone. The multi-microorifice impactor includes a multi-orifice nozzle and a rotary impaction plate for enabling the microparticles with dpa from 100 nm to 4 ?m to be uniformly collected on a silicone-oil-coated impaction substrate. The remnant microparticles with dpa smaller than 100 nm are collected by the filter cassette. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the portable nanoparticle sampler is characterized by low pressure loss and accurate microparticle sizing to meet the requirement of nanoparticle sampling at workplaces.

Abstract: The invention generally provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles, for example, via collection, growth and analysis of viable biological particles such as microorganisms. Devices and methods of the invention include particle samplers and impactors for collecting and/or analyzing biological particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products, such as sterile medicinal products. Devices and methods of the invention incorporate an integrated sampler and impact surface, such as the receiving surface of a growth media, in a manner to minimize, or entirely eliminate, risks associated with user handling, such as the occurrence of false positive determinations due to contamination of the impact surface during particle sampling, growth or analysis processes.

Abstract: A thermophoretic sampler includes a sample assembly into which a removable sample cartridge can be inserted. The sample cartridge holds a substrate that, upon insertion, is exposed to a sample chamber. Thermophoresis is induced in the sample chamber, causing nanoparticles to be deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A sampling device is disclosed. The sampling device includes a labyrinth structure and a sampling tube. The labyrinth structure includes a first baffle plate, a second baffle and a third baffle plate. The second baffle plate in combination with the first baffle plate defines an inlet channel and is configured to receive a portion of oil aerosol containing liquid oil particles. A curved bend is included downstream of the inlet channel and is configured to separate the liquid oil particles from the portion of oil aerosol. The third baffle plate is relatively inclined with respect to the first baffle plate. The third baffle plate in combination with the first baffle plate is configured to drain the separated liquid oil particles. The sampling tube provides the portion of oil aerosol separated of liquid oil particles to a detection device.

Abstract: A method for classifying a powder using a fluid classifier, which comprises a mixing step of mixing a powder and an assistant agent composed of an alcohol, an input step of inputting the powder mixed in the mixing step into the fluid classifier, a heating step of heating a gas, a supply step of supplying the gas heated in the heating step into the fluid classifier, and a classification step of classifying the powder according to particle diameters in the fluid classifier.

Abstract: A particulate monitor includes a housing, an air-moving device coupled to the housing, and an air passageway disposed at least partially within the housing. The air-moving device is operable to create an airflow through the air passageway. The particulate monitor may include a real-time measuring device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway and a particulate collection device positioned at least partially within the housing and in fluid communication with the air passageway. A collection device may be positioned downstream of the real-time measuring device. At least one impactor may be movably coupled to the housing to be movable between a first position adjacent the air passageway and a second position displaced from the air passageway.

Abstract: The invention relates to low flow rate cascade impactors for sampling aerosols, notably but not limited to pharmaceutical aerosols. The impactor stages serve as both orifice plate and collecting cup, simplifying collection and analysis. The impactor is designed to operate at flow rates approximating the inspiratory flow rates of young children and infants. Also presented is a method of and apparatus for applying a coating material to the collection surface of the stages after an impactor is assembled for use. The method entails generation of a polydisperse aerosol and sampling into the impactor. The coating substance improves the trapping of particles on the stages. The apparatus and method of application limit the amount of coating material applied and confines it to the regions of particle impact opposite the stage orifices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid sampling device comprising a plurality of inlet channels, each of which is arranged to receive an airflow from an associated direction, such that a sampling medium associated with a particular inlet channel is exposed to airflow from the associated direction.

Abstract: A multi-filter chemical speciation sampler and a virtual impaction particle separation inlet therefore are provided. The inlet includes a housing having a bottom, a collection tube that extends through the bottom, and collection apertures formed in the bottom, arranged around the collection tube; a first plate disposed on top of the housing, having acceleration nozzles disposed at the perimeter thereof; a second plate disposed in the housing below the first plate, having a central aperture and separation apertures disposed around the central aperture. The sampler includes: an inlet; a virtual impaction separator to further fractionate the PM into a course fraction and a fine fraction; a first separation assembly to divide the course fraction into coarse aliquots, comprising first filters to collect the coarse aliquots; a second separation assembly to divide the fine fraction into fine aliquots, comprising second filters to collect the fine aliquots.

Abstract: Provided is an aerosol collector of reduced size having an aerosol inlet, an impactor plate containing several particle size-selecting nozzles therethrough, a replaceable collection layer and a fan having a power supply such as a battery pack, all of which fits a small container, attachable to, e.g., the lapel of the user, means to rotate the fan and move the aerosol through the sampler, so as to draw airborne particles through the inlet and through one or more nozzles, to impact the particles on the layer for analysis of same.

Abstract: The invention relates to low flow rate cascade impactors for sampling aerosols, notably but not limited to pharmaceutical aerosols. The impactor stages serve as both orifice plate and collecting cup, simplifying collection and analysis. The impactor is designed to operate at flow rates approximating the inspiratory flow rates of young children and infants. Also presented is a method of and apparatus for applying a coating material to the collection surface of the stages after an impactor is assembled for use. The method entails generation of a polydisperse aerosol and sampling into the impactor. The coating substance improves the trapping of particles on the stages. The apparatus and method of application limit the amount of coating material applied and confines it to the regions of particle impact opposite the stage orifices.

Abstract: A system and a method is described herein for the collection of small particles in a concentrated manner, whereby particles are deposited onto a solid surface or collected into a volume of liquid. The collected samples readily interface to any of a number of different elemental, chemical, or biological or other analysis techniques.

Abstract: A portable nanoparticle sampler for collecting respirable particulate matters and nanoparticles is composed of a tangential flow cyclone, a multi-microorifice impactor and a filter cassette. The tangential flow cyclone can remove the microparticles with cutoff aerodynamic diameter (dpa) larger than 4 ?m and guide the airflow to the multi-microorifice impactor located below the cyclone. The multi-microorifice impactor includes a multi-orifice nozzle and a rotary impaction plate for enabling the microparticles with dpa from 100 nm to 4 ?m to be uniformly collected on a silicon-oil-coated impaction substrate. The remanent microparticles with dpa smaller than 100 nm are collected by the filter cassette. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the portable nanoparticle sampler is characterized by low pressure loss and accurate microparticle sizing to meet the requirement of nanoparticle sampling at workplaces.

Abstract: An automated cascade impactor is disclosed and comprises a vertical array of a plurality of impactor stages, and a vertical array of isolation stages, wherein the vertical array of the isolation stages comprises pairs of isolation stages between which impactor plates, removed from respective ones of the impactor stages are effectively sandwiched between each pair of isolation stages. Still further, each compactor stage is likewise sandwiched between and upper and a lower pair of the isolation stages.

Abstract: In a sampling head (1) of an analysis arrangement (31), provision is made that a sample stream delivered via a sampling line (2) and a dilution air stream delivered through a dilution air inlet (4) are mixed together in a dilution unit (3) in such a way that a volumetric quantity entrained in at least one receiving space moved along by a movable element (8) between the sampling stream and the dilution air stream are exchanged with each other, wherein the analysis arrangement (31) has a gas analyzer (35) for the analysis of the slightly diluted sample stream and a particle determination unit (32) for the analysis of the enriched dilution air stream.

Abstract: An automated cascade impactor comprises an extension mechanism operable to couple to a plurality of impactor stages. The extension mechanism is operable to compress and separate impactor stages of the plurality of impactor stages via automation. The system provides a plurality of isolation stages operable to be automatically inserted between respective impactor stages when the impactor stages are separated by the extension mechanism. The system provides the plurality of isolation stages to be automatically compressed between impactor stages to isolate each impactor stage from at least one adjacent impactor stage. The plurality of isolation stages is operable to be automatically uncompressed and removed from between the impactor stages. The isolation stages allow automated extraction of particulate matter, cleaning and drying of interior surfaces of each impactor stage.

Abstract: A personally portable nanoparticle respiratory deposition (NRD) sampler configured to collect nanoparticles based upon a sampling criterion. In an aspect, the NRD sampler has an impactor stage, and a diffusion stage. In another aspect, the NRD sampler includes a particle size separator in addition to an impactor stage and a diffusion stage.

Abstract: An aerosol sampling intake configured to exclude particles generally greater than 20 microns AD and capture particles of less than about 10 microns AD with high efficiency, independent of weather conditions, through which air is sampled by suction. The intake combines an omnidirectional horizontal segment with diffuser and elbow, the elbow transitioning flow to a vertical segment, the vertical segment with overhanging lip, the centrifugal impactor for self-cleaning operation, thus relieving the dual problems of re-entrainment of particles bouncing from the impactor surface and fouling by particles sticking to the impactor surface. The device is adapted for use on moving vehicles, for sampling at increased windspeeds, or for sampling in rain.

Abstract: An air sampler device has a top plate and a bottom plate, and receives a Petri dish between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top plate includes 283 substantially small holes. The bottom plate has a deepened center well formed in the top surface. Elongated slots are formed in the top surface which extend out from the well. The slots have distal ends which extend beyond the Petri dish. Air is drawn into the sampler by a vacuum tube through an air port which communicates with the center well. Air is pulled into the 283 holes in the top plate and strikes the capture material in the Petri dish. The air then travels up over the sides of the dish, into the distal ends, through the slots, and into the center well, where it exits out of the vacuum air port.

Abstract: Technology is presented for the high efficiency concentration of fine and ultrafine airborne particles into a small fraction of the sampled airflow by condensational enlargement, aerodynamic focusing and flow separation. A nozzle concentrator structure including an acceleration nozzle with a flow extraction structure may be coupled to a containment vessel. The containment vessel may include a water condensation growth tube to facilitate the concentration of ultrafine particles. The containment vessel may further include a separate carrier flow introduced at the center of the sampled flow, upstream of the acceleration nozzle of the nozzle concentrator to facilitate the separation of particle and vapor constituents.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a physiologic sampling pump (PSP) which uses at least one valve placed near the sampling medium to modulate air sampling to follow a person's inhalation rate and to obviate the sluggishness inherent in prior art PSPs caused by varying pump speed and by the propagation time through an air tube that connects the collection medium to prior art pumps thereby also obviating limitations inherent in system response, functionality, and accuracy. Moreover, by maintaining an essentially constant air flow through a cyclone at all times and through the collection medium while sampling, the present invention operates at known collection efficiencies, and is therefore capable of size-selective sampling of particulates as opposed to prior art PSPs that by varying the magnitude of air flow, make the separation efficiencies of pre-collection devices indeterminate and the samples worthless.

Abstract: An environment providing device having a test chamber provided, in one face thereof, with a plurality of gas intake vents, where a respective plurality particle detecting devices is provided; and an injecting device for injecting particles into the test chamber.

Abstract: A multi-filter PM 10-PM 2.5 sampler which enable the simultaneous collection of four PM 10 and four PM 2.5 samples is disclosed. The sampler is provided with a PM 10 impactor to remove coarse particles and operates at 33.4 L/min. After the PM 10 impactor, the aerosol flow is divided by half by a branch pipe. Half of the flow is directed into four PM 10 cassettes, while the other half is directed into four PM 2.5 cassettes after the aerosols are further classified by a PM 2.5 impactor. To ensure the aerosol flow uniformly passes through each of the four PM 10 or four PM 2.5 cassettes, an orifice plate is assembled behind each of the filter cassettes to increase the pressure drop, such that the flow rates of eight sampling lines are nearly equal.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein pertains to the detection of trace explosives or narcotics detection. The apparatus comprises the front-end particle dislodge and sample intake portion of a chemical trace detection system utilizing aerodynamic flow as a transport mechanism whereby compounds indicative of explosives or narcotics contamination are liberated from target surfaces of foot or footwear and then transported by air flow to a sample accumulation feature for chemical analysis. The apparatus is intended for inclusion with additional components, such as an efficient pre-concentrator, a thermal desorption unit, and a chemical analyzer/detector o achieve a complete trace detection system.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods for capturing particles from a particle-laden airstream. An embodiment of a device includes an inlet air passage to direct a particle-laden airstream, an outlet air passage, an impaction nozzle in fluid communication with and downstream of the inlet air passage, and a channel in fluid communication with and downstream of the impaction nozzle and upstream of the outlet air passage. An open portion of the channel is oriented substantially toward the inlet air passage and has a cavity at least partially covered with a substrate material. A base of the substrate material is substantially normal to an incoming direction of the particle-laden airstream. Other embodiments of the device and a method of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: An automated cascade impactor is disclosed and comprises a vertical array of a plurality of impactor stages, and a vertical array of isolation stages, wherein the vertical array of the isolation stages comprises pairs of isolation stages between which impactor plates, removed from respective ones of the impactor stages are effectively sandwiched between each pair of isolation stages. Still further, each compactor stage is likewise sandwiched between and upper and a lower pair of the isolation stages.

Abstract: A device for removing liquid or solid contaminants such as oil or dust dispersed in air in which an air flow is directed through a space formed by a spiral wall in a cyclonic chamber condenses the particles or droplet which drops down into a collection chamber below the cyclonic chamber while the cleaned air passes out through an outlet extending back up through the cyclonic chamber. A baffle plate array is located at the bottom of the collection chamber composed of spaced apart shallowly inclined partially overlapping plates which captures any cyclonic air flow at the bottom of the collection chamber. This removes contaminants which would otherwise accumulate at the center of the bottom of the collection chamber and be entrained in the air exiting the device.

Abstract: Concentrating particles in a turbulent gas flow may include receiving, in a receptacle, a turbulent gas flow that includes particles. The concentration of particles in a gas flow exiting the receptacle at a first port is increased as compared with a concentration of the particles in the gas flow received by the receptacle. The increased concentration of particles is accomplished by removing a portion of the gas flow by using a second port, and fluidly communicating the gas flow through a tube in the receptacle. The tube has a smaller diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow exits the tube than diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow is received.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for the collection of bioaerosols (such as viruses, bacteria, and proteins) from the exhaled breath of humans and/or animals, for the purpose of determining, for example, particle size, generation rate, diseases and interventions for particle release.

Abstract: A trace particle collection system accumulates trace particles of those materials that are adhering to target surfaces. The particles are removed from the surface, transported and collected in a particle collection medium, and then provided to a detection instrument. Trace particles are often bound tenaciously to the target surface, and simple techniques, such as blowing air, will either remove only the largest particles or none at all. The removal of trace particles is described which utilizes an aerosol mixture of frozen carbon dioxide aerosol particles in a gas stream to impact and more efficiently remove the target particles from the surface.

Abstract: Improved centrifugal particle traps for aerosol particle collection and sampling characterized by a curved, progressively tapered impactor channel operable over a incompressible or compressible flow regime, or a flow regime transitioning from incompressible to compressible over the length of the particle trap. Mixtures of particles in a flowing gas stream are impactingly captured and separated by size. The particle traps can be operated to collect submicron particles without blockage, have lower pressure drops to reduce overall power requirements, and surprisingly, viability of biological particles captured in the particle traps of the invention is increased. Also disclosed are systems and methods combining these improved particle traps with in-line particle concentrators and with aerosol sample or liquid sample processing and analysis systems.

Abstract: An inertial gas-liquid impactor separator includes flow director guidance structure directing and guiding flow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet along a flow path from upstream to downstream. The flow director guidance structure may include a flow controller controlling and directing flow.

Abstract: Concentrating particles in a turbulent gas flow may include receiving, in a receptacle, a turbulent gas flow that includes particles. The concentration of particles in a gas flow exiting the receptacle at a first port is increased as compared with a concentration of the particles in the gas flow received by the receptacle. The increased concentration of particles is accomplished by removing a portion of the gas flow by using a second port, and fluidly communicating the gas flow through a tube in the receptacle. The tube has a smaller diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow exits the tube than diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow is received.

Abstract: An inline virtual impactor comprising an outer housing having a housing inlet, a housing inner surface, a major flow outlet and a minor flow outlet; a flow accelerator member disposed in the upstream portion of the outer housing; and a flow stabilizer member disposed within the outer housing downstream of the flow accelerator member, wherein the disposition of the flow accelerator creates an annular flow passage between the flow accelerator and the outer housing, and wherein a flow divider that is at least partially downstream of the flow stabilizer member effects splitting of the flow stream entering the housing into major and minor flows. The minor flow comprises primarily particles having a size greater than a cutpoint size and the major flow comprises primarily particles smaller than the cutpoint size. The inline virtual impactor may further comprise an aspiration section located upstream of the flow accelerator member.

Abstract: A detector for optically detecting biological aerosols in a sample volume using non-imaging optical components (NIOCs) includes a light source configured to stimulate bio-fluorescence of tryptophan or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In at least one embodiment, a sample volume and each non-imaging optical component are defined by surface features in each of a first monolithic structure and a second monolithic structure, when the first monolithic structure and the second monolithic structure are disposed in a facing relationship. In at least one embodiment, each NIOC comprises a compound parabolic collector. To facilitate volume production, the monolithic structures can be molded. Preferably, the sample is a volume of a gaseous fluid, such as air.

Abstract: An inertial gas-liquid impactor separator has a de-icer for preventing ice accumulation at the acceleration nozzles. A heater heats a nozzle plate to minimize plugging of acceleration nozzles otherwise due to icing.

Abstract: An air sampler device has a top plate and a bottom plate, and receives a Petri dish between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top plate includes 283 substantially small holes. The bottom plate has a deepened center well formed in the top surface. Elongated slots are formed in the top surface which extend out from the well. The slots have distal ends which extend beyond the Petri dish. Air is drawn into the sampler by a vacuum tube through an air port which communicates with the center well. Air is pulled into the 283 holes in the top plate and strikes the capture material in the Petri dish. The air then travels up over the sides of the dish, into the distal ends, through the slots, and into the center well, where it exits out of the vacuum air port.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for non-contact pneumatic sampling of surfaces, persons, articles of clothing, buildings, furnishings, vehicles, baggage, packages, mail, and the like, for aerosols or vapor residues indicative of a hazard or a benefit, where the residues are chemical, radiological, biological, toxic, or infectious in character. A central orifice for pulling a vacuum is surrounded by an array of convergingly-directed gas jets, forming a “virtual sampling chamber”. The gas jets are configured to deliver millisecond pneumatic pulses that erode particles and vapors from solid surfaces at a distance. A curtain wall flow encloses the sampling area during pulse retrieval.

Abstract: An automated cascade impactor comprises an extension mechanism operable to couple to a plurality of impactor stages. The extension mechanism is operable to compress and separate impactor stages of the plurality of impactor stages via automation. The system provides a plurality of isolation stages operable to be automatically inserted between respective impactor stages when the impactor stages are separated by the extension mechanism. The system provides the plurality of isolation stages to be automatically compressed between impactor stages to isolate each impactor stage from at least one adjacent impactor stage. The plurality of isolation stages is operable to be automatically uncompressed and removed from between the impactor stages. The isolation stages allow automated extraction of particulate matter, cleaning and drying of interior surfaces of each impactor stage.