Development of a Solar Powered Aerosol Reference Calibrator

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: This project will develop and demonstrate an inexpensive and portable calibration system for low-cost aerosol sensors. Current calibration methods are cost prohibitive and impractical for widespread field deployment. Access Sensor Technologies (AST) proposes to produce a solar powered aerosol reference calibrator (SPARC) that builds upon a established (patent pending) technology developed at Colorado State University and licensed to AST; the ultrasonic personal aerosol sampler (UPAS). Phase I of this project includes prototype construction, field demonstration in a low-cost sensor network, and subsequent data analyses to evaluate the utility of the SPARC sampler as an in-field calibration tool. There are no commercial technologies that currently meet SPARC’s specifications- especially not integrating sizeselective inlets, an easily-exchangeable filter cartridge, a pump, and accompanying sensors into one miniaturized, solar-powered housing. Successful completion of this project will yield a novel air sampling technology that will help improve the reliability and data quality obtained from lowcost air monitoring networks; these networks are valuable for regulatory monitoring networks, fence-line emissions monitoring (e.g., wildland fire, industrial operations, energy production), academic and community-based research on air quality, climate and health, military, and citizen science.SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In Phase I we propose to advance and test a novel, lightweight, outdoor air sampling system (named the SPARC sampler) for use as a solution for lower cost, field-based calibration. Data generated during Phase I will be used to validate the performance of the SPARC technology and to evaluate the efficacy of several sensor calibration techniques. To accomplish this work we will product 25 field-ready prototypes, deploy a network of SPARC devices co-located with commercially-available standard reference monitors and low-cost PM sensors, and evaluate the utility of the SPARC sampler as a node-calibration system for a low-cost sensor network and against existing calibration approaches.