Periodic Reporting for period 3 - PASSEPARTOUT (Photonic Accurate and Portable Sensor Systems Exploiting Photo-Acoustic and Photo-Thermal Based Spectroscopy for Real-Time Outdoor Air Pollution Monitoring)
Período documentado: 2023-07-01 hasta 2024-12-31
Air pollution, in terms of toxic gas molecules and particulate matter in the air we breathe, is a major cause of morbidity and premature mortality, resulting in an estimated 4.2 million deaths per year. Real-time pollution monitoring, with highly-localised readings and public alerts, is vital to minimise the exposure of the population, particularly the vulnerable, to air pollution. Direct access to high quality, trustworthy data will allow optimisation of daily schedules to reduce exposure. The availability of actionable data which will, if necessary, stand up in court and with government, will drive long term changes in the behaviour of both the public and industry.
The ambient pollutant detectors currently used as reference measurements are impractical for widespread or mobile deployment, while miniature, low-cost electrochemical sensors generally are still not stable or sensitive enough for monitoring ambient pollutants reliably. The PASSEPARTOUT project will advance the development and deployment of miniature, hyperspectral optical based sensors, utilising Quartz Enhanced Photo-Acoustic Spectroscopy (QEPAS) and Photo-Thermal Interferometry (PTI) to detect a wide range of ambient pollutants. The PASSEPARTOUT optical sensors operate in the mid-infrared (MIR) or near-infrared (NIR) spectral range and allow calibration-free methodologies (since the quantification is based on the well-known optical constants of the target analytes) and will be compatible with the rigorous certification process.
PASSEPARTOUT will realise the first 3D mobile optical gas analyser network capable of operating in an urban area. Innovative and high-performance technologies for high accuracy and flexible environmental air quality monitoring will be built into robust drone-mounted, low-cost vehicle-mounted and stationary sensors. The network will provide real-time information about the concentration of polluting gases (such as NOx, SO2, NH3, CH4, CO and CO2) and black carbon particulates within urban areas, and around landfills and seaports, with extremely high precision and excellent spatial resolution.
The ambient pollutant detectors currently used as reference measurements are impractical for widespread or mobile deployment, while miniature, low-cost electrochemical sensors generally are still not stable or sensitive enough for monitoring ambient pollutants reliably. The PASSEPARTOUT project will advance the development and deployment of miniature, hyperspectral optical based sensors, utilising Quartz Enhanced Photo-Acoustic Spectroscopy (QEPAS) and Photo-Thermal Interferometry (PTI) to detect a wide range of ambient pollutants. The PASSEPARTOUT optical sensors operate in the mid-infrared (MIR) or near-infrared (NIR) spectral range and allow calibration-free methodologies (since the quantification is based on the well-known optical constants of the target analytes) and will be compatible with the rigorous certification process.
PASSEPARTOUT will realise the first 3D mobile optical gas analyser network capable of operating in an urban area. Innovative and high-performance technologies for high accuracy and flexible environmental air quality monitoring will be built into robust drone-mounted, low-cost vehicle-mounted and stationary sensors. The network will provide real-time information about the concentration of polluting gases (such as NOx, SO2, NH3, CH4, CO and CO2) and black carbon particulates within urban areas, and around landfills and seaports, with extremely high precision and excellent spatial resolution.
The PASSEPARTOUT project kicked off in January 2021. Initially, the main focus of the activities was towards agreeing and finalising the detailed specifications and designs of the overall sensor analyser units, to ensure the individual components will all be compatible and interoperable, and capable of meeting the overall target objectives of PASSEPARTOUT. An external Steering Committee was also assembled, consisting of senior figures from industry and academia who will provide an independent viewpoint and guidance, to ensure the relevance and attractiveness of PASSEPARTOUT for end users.
The Technical Reference Manual has now been completed and has successfully guided the project through the development of the analysers. In early 2023, we demonstrated a complete QEPAS based analyser for methane in a 19” rack form factor. The first stages of the validation of this unit has begun.
The first fully complete compact gas analysers have been assembled and tested requiring components and development effort from multiple partners. Autonomous operation has been demonstrated.
The waveguide chip based Black Carbon sensor has been successfully tested and is moving to the next phase of development
The AirTOWN smartphone app incorporates real-time air pollution data from the AirSENCE sensors that monitor pollutants like ozone, PM2.5 and PM10. The application uses this data to provide Points of Interest (POIs) recommendations to users, tailoring suggestions with collaborative filtering, and considering air quality.
Overall work has largely followed the Gantt chart, though not everything has gone completely to plan. There have been some delays, namely the development of the autonomous gas analyser unit was delayed due to electronics supply chain issues, which in turn delayed the flight trials to the end of this period.
The Technical Reference Manual has now been completed and has successfully guided the project through the development of the analysers. In early 2023, we demonstrated a complete QEPAS based analyser for methane in a 19” rack form factor. The first stages of the validation of this unit has begun.
The first fully complete compact gas analysers have been assembled and tested requiring components and development effort from multiple partners. Autonomous operation has been demonstrated.
The waveguide chip based Black Carbon sensor has been successfully tested and is moving to the next phase of development
The AirTOWN smartphone app incorporates real-time air pollution data from the AirSENCE sensors that monitor pollutants like ozone, PM2.5 and PM10. The application uses this data to provide Points of Interest (POIs) recommendations to users, tailoring suggestions with collaborative filtering, and considering air quality.
Overall work has largely followed the Gantt chart, though not everything has gone completely to plan. There have been some delays, namely the development of the autonomous gas analyser unit was delayed due to electronics supply chain issues, which in turn delayed the flight trials to the end of this period.
The PASSEPARTOUT consortium has identified 10 specific ‘Exploitable Results’, which serve as tangible measures for how PASSEPARTOUT will advance the state of the art. These results range from component-level technological advances e.g. in semiconductor laser capabilities and multi-wavelength combiners, through individual sensor modules utilising particular techniques, right up to a complete, next generation, multi-analyte air quality monitoring network. An indicative timeline for market deployment of these results post-project has also been estimated, together with a route to market using the industry experience and commercialisation capabilities of the PASSEPARTOUT consortium.
Amongst other results achieved so far:
- We have realised a compact three wavelength laser module, which enables the spatial superposition of three collimated laser beams with different wavelengths (3271 nm, 4364 nm, 4602nm)
- We have developed the first mid-infrared photonic integrated circuit (PIC) combining =6.25 µm and =7.3 µm DFB QCLs with a wavelength multiplexer on the same InP crystal
- We have demonstrated a complete analyser that was successfully operated autonomously with a battery pack and was controlled via a wireless link
- The black carbon sensor has reached a 1.7 μg/m3 limit of detection, which is excellent for a completely new technology and allows measurements in our target environments
- We have fabricated Fluoroindate MM-SM combiners with a transmission efficiency of about 80-84 % - a record result
- We have reached detection limits of 9 ppb, 9.3 ppb and 2.4 ppb FOR NO2, SO2, and NH3 gas detection, respectively.
Overall, the project has produced 15 journal papers to date.
Amongst other results achieved so far:
- We have realised a compact three wavelength laser module, which enables the spatial superposition of three collimated laser beams with different wavelengths (3271 nm, 4364 nm, 4602nm)
- We have developed the first mid-infrared photonic integrated circuit (PIC) combining =6.25 µm and =7.3 µm DFB QCLs with a wavelength multiplexer on the same InP crystal
- We have demonstrated a complete analyser that was successfully operated autonomously with a battery pack and was controlled via a wireless link
- The black carbon sensor has reached a 1.7 μg/m3 limit of detection, which is excellent for a completely new technology and allows measurements in our target environments
- We have fabricated Fluoroindate MM-SM combiners with a transmission efficiency of about 80-84 % - a record result
- We have reached detection limits of 9 ppb, 9.3 ppb and 2.4 ppb FOR NO2, SO2, and NH3 gas detection, respectively.
Overall, the project has produced 15 journal papers to date.