Fourteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

Air sampling is executed to collect suspended air particles to determine its quality, identifying pollutants source, prioritizing source control, protecting human health and global well-being. Here, the scope of improvement in the conventional particulate matter air samplers is identified using user-centric design research. An integrated air sampler is designed to intermingle impaction based particle sampling with real-time black carbon measurement by employing cost-effective photo reference method. Automatic change of four filter papers is designed to overcome the problem of attending the sampler by the operator for multiple times even within a day. This design has used the simplicity of inertial impaction for size-specific aerosol collection and designed for sequential multiple filter papers loading to enable unattended and automated sampling. Air samplers need to be transported frequently between laboratory and field sites. In this new air sampler, stair climbing wheels are incorporated to increase mobility in the regular transport and as well as on stairs. Air samplers are primarily placed in the terrace and thus their transportation though stairs is an issue with the existing design. Additionally, this particular air sampler is designed with a retractable drawer like desk and a working light to provide a working platform to facilitate on-site filter loading even in the darkness of the night. This study indicates the advantage of design collaboration in air pollution research and similar fields can be explored with design research as a way forward.