Rotapollen Sampler: An affordable, portable, and programmable rotorod-style device for measuring airborne pollen...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Aerobiology
• Instrumentation Engineering

Background:

• Accurate monitoring of airborne particulates, such as pollen, is crucial for allergy research and environmental studies.
• Commercial rotorod samplers are effective but prohibitively expensive for widespread or multi-site deployment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate an affordable, portable, and programmable rotorod-style device for sampling airborne particulates >10 µm.
• To provide a cost-effective alternative to commercial samplers for detailed aerobiological investigations.

Main Methods:

• Development of a low-cost rotorod sampler using readily available components and an Arduino programmable script.
• Incorporation of features like retracting sampling rods and optional rain shields for enhanced functionality and durability.
• Field testing and validation against a commercial rotorod-style device, achieving a high correlation coefficient (r > 0.99).

Main Results:

• The developed sampler is significantly more affordable ($118 for the first unit, $48 for subsequent units) than commercial alternatives ($1300-$6000).
• The device demonstrated high data similarity to commercial samplers, validating its effectiveness.
• The compact (135 × 75 × 93 mm, 185 g) and battery-operated design allows for easy deployment at breathing height.

Conclusions:

• The Rotapollen Sampler is a validated, cost-effective tool for monitoring airborne pollen and particulates.
• Its portability and programmability make it suitable for extensive spatial sampling campaigns and research on airborne particulate heterogeneity.