New tool to screen harmful air particles
Researchers developed a prototype instrument for the analysis of fine dust particles during a previous EU-funded project called 'Nano-air'. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) technology, continuous monitoring of ambient air for any hazardous breathable particles was made possible. The ENVIROMONITOR project was established to design a cost-effective manufacturing route for a final, marketable device. It was also tasked with devising a market strategy and a business plan. One of the major challenges identified was the limited portability of XRD instruments — a useful air monitoring device would have to be mobile. In addition, further innovation would be needed to collect and transport airborne particles into the instrument, and to develop analysis software. An assessment of the industrial requirements, coupled with the aims of reducing costs, size and weight, led researchers to decide on two different system configurations. One would be used in soft industrial spaces for work-place monitoring, the other in harsh environments. For both systems, researchers needed to design, build and validate hardware, along with software used to verify correct functionality. The detection limit and system accessibility on site had to be tested as well. The main success of the project has been in building a miniaturised system. This will enable the development, adaptation or modification of XRD components currently used in conventional instruments. Such air-quality monitoring devices would be of use on construction sites or in powder industries, recycling stations, mining, hospitals and airports. It would allow for the efficient analysis and characterisation of particulate matter in real-time, with previously unseen quality.
Keywords
Air-quality, prototype, X-ray diffraction, monitoring, mobile, airborne particles, miniaturised