AAAR 31st Annual Conference
October 8-12, 2012
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Abstract View
Prototype of Portable Cellphone-Connected Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor
IGOR PAPROTNY, Dawn Hustig-Schultz, Jess Dominguez, Rick Farley, Paul A. Solomon, Richard White, Lara Gundel, University of California, Berkeley
Abstract Number: 774 Working Group: Instrumentation and Methods
Abstract Recent advances in both sensors and wireless communication provide opportunities for improved exposure assessment and increasing community involvement in reducing levels of human exposure to airborne contaminants. These new technologies can enhance data collection to answer science and policy questions related to the health and environmental effects of air pollution. Ongoing miniaturization of sensor technology, the increasing availability of wireless sensor networks, and the development of user-friendly applications for mobile devices offer opportunities for improved environmental and health monitoring. Data collected may be used directly through apps or uploaded to a central database for integration and analysis with other data, followed by downloading summarized results, also via apps.
The poster describes a prototype of a portable microfabricated PM monitor that is attached to a regular cellphone. The PM sensor is a miniature piezobalance that is described in session 12IM. The frequency data are processed by a down converter board and interface that allows the cellphone to collect and display data from the PM sensor. The phone can transmit data via a wireless wide area network or a wireless local area network. The foot-print of the entire device is approximately the size of the cellphone, and similar architecture can further miniaturize the electronics for complete inclusion inside the cellphone chassis.