Cost effective particle sensor for aerosol monitoring

空气中的颗粒物是雾霾的主要成分之一。大多数环境机构（包括BC省环境部）定期监测这些空气污染指标，以评估整体环境空气质量。接触空气中的微粒会增加人类因呼吸和心肺疾病的死亡率和发病率。虽然目前在不列颠哥伦比亚省的许多地点监测到小至2.5微米的颗粒，但目前还没有系统可以量化更小的颗粒。纳米颗粒（直径小于100纳米）越来越多地应用于半导体器件和药物输送系统等不同领域。很明显，纳米颗粒比相同物质的微米级颗粒具有更高的毒性。我们提出的粒子传感器旨在填补现有空气监测和管理系统的当前空白。其实惠的价格使该系统易于扩展，以获得高局部分辨率，并允许纳米颗粒评估当前或修订的污染管理计划。

Airborne particulate matter is one of the main components of smog. Most environmental agencies (including the BC Ministry of the Environment) routinely monitor this air pollution indicators to assess overall ambient air quality. Exposure to airborne particles increases human mortality and morbidity from respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases. While particles as small as 2.5 µm are now monitored in many BC locations, currently no system is in place to quantify much smaller particulates. Nanoparticles (diameters <100 nm) are increasingly utilized in such diverse fields as semiconductor devices and drug delivery systems. It is evident that nanoparticles exhibit higher toxicity than micron size particles of identical substances. Our proposed particle sensor is designed to fill the current gap in existing air monitoring and management systems. Its affordable price enables easy extension of this system for high local resolution, and allows nanoparticle assessment for current or revised pollution management programs.