Real-Time Airborne Particle Identifier

Rapid-E is the world’s first instrument to accurately and comprehensively analyze single aerosol particles in real time. Fully automated, it characterizes any airborne particle in the range of 0.5-100 micrometers, matching and opening up numerous applications in environmental monitoring, and beyond. For outdoor use, the instrument is equipped with housing that withstands continuous outdoor operation within a temperature range of -30°C to +45°C.

Unique Technology based on Laser Spectroscopy

Rapid-E's technology is based on morphological analysis through light scattering, and chemical analysis through high-resolution, laser-induced fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime. For each particle, parameters of scattered light pattern and laser-induced fluorescence are recorded, representing a unique optical fingerprint. This analysis allows highly precise real-time species identification, with a record low rate of false positives.

Real-Time and Continuous Monitoring

Particle size range: 0.5-100 μm

Revolutionary single particle analysis

Remote operation

Rapid-E unique features

Rapid-E

Example of scattering raw data represented as image

X-axis shows time in microseconds, Y-axis shows different scattering angles with respect to the scattering laser axis. Final image is 120 acquisitions x 24 scattering angles.

Light scattering detection

Each particle crossing the laser diffuses laser light according to the Mie theory, and the pixels record the light's intensity. The resulting information is represented in the raw data file.


Rapid-E

Example of fluorescence raw data represented as waterfall plot

X-axis shows wavelengths in nanometers, Y-axis shows time (8 consecutive acquisitions). Final image is 8 acquisitions x 32 wavelength ranges.

Fluorescence measurements

The measurement of fluorescence signal is done by a proprietary optical arrangement resulting in 32 fluorescence bands been detected simultaneously for each individual particle. The acquisition of spectrum is done 8 times to ensure that all optical signal has been captured.


Rapid-E

Example of lifetime raw data represented as waterfall plot

X-axis shows lifetime channels, Y-axis shows time in ns. Final image is 32 acquisitions x 4 lifetime channels.

Fluorescence lifetime measurements

The measurement of fluorescence lifetime signal is done by a proprietary optical arrangement resulting in 4 fluorescence bands been detected simultaneously for each individual particle. The acquisition is done with 1 ns second resolution over all 4 channels.


1. Branko Šikoparija: Desert dust has a notable impact on aerobiological measurements in Europe Aeolian Research, Volume 47, December 2020.

2. Danijela Tešendić et al.: RealForAll: real-time system for automatic detection of airborne pollen Enterprise Information Systems, 2020.

3. Ingrida Sauliene et al.: Automatic pollen recognition with the Rapid-E particle counter:the first-level procedure, experience and next steps Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 3435–3452, 2019.

4. Kawashima, S. et al.: Automated pollen monitoring system using laser optics for observing seasonal changes in the concentration of total airborne pollen Aerobiologia volume 33, pages 351–362(2017).

5. Sindt, C. et al.: Alternative method for the measure of the biological particles in the air: RAPID-E example EAACI 2018.

6. Chappuis, C. et al.: Automatic pollen monitoring: first insights from hourly data Aerobiologia 36, 159–170 (2020)

7. Crouzy, B. et al.: All-optical automatic pollen identification: Towards an operational system Atmospheric Environment, Volume 140, September 2016, Pages 202–212.

Awards


Awards

Address


Route de Saint-Julien 275
1258 Perly
Switzerland

Contact


info@plair.ch
+41 (22) 552-3830