Abstract:
A method for monitoring air particulates, including positioning a particulate capture medium, flowing a predetermined volume of air over a particulate capture medium to yield a test sample, measuring the temperature and humidity of the air to generate environmental information, generating optical interrogation data from the test sample, storing the optical interrogation data, and analyzing the optical interrogation data to identify and quantify particulates.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This utility patent application claims the benefit of, and priority to, co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/068,643, titled AIR QUALITY ANALYZING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ANALYZING AIR QUALITY, filed on Oct. 25, 2014. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present novel technology generally to environmental engineering and, more particularly, to an apparatus for sampling and analyzing air quality and a method of collecting and remotely analyzing air quality, including identifying and quantifying particulates. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Much of the Earth&#39;s population spends a great deal of time indoors. Modern buildings tend to be far less drafty and are better sealed than their older counterparts, and have sealed air systems providing better control air environments. Similarly, people now spend time in increasing amounts of time in cars, airplanes, ships, underwater chambers, and other spaces with recirculated air. Due to the prevalence of allergies, the increased amount of time that people spend indoors, and an overall increase in awareness of air quality issues, people are more rigorously evaluating the quality of the air and airborne pollutants in enclosed and even open spaces. Indoor air quality is receiving increased attention and evaluation, and many consumers desire evaluation of the air in their environment. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is a need for an efficient and inexpensive system and method of providing air quality analysis and, in particular, a system of capturing particulates within air and evaluating the nature and quantity therein. There is also a need for devices to obtain aliquots of air and rapidly capture and convey information about the nature and quantity of particulates therein. The present novel technology addresses these needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present novel technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the novel technology. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the novel technology and are not to be construed as limiting the novel technology. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  depicts a top view of an air sampling and quality analysis apparatus according to a first embodiment of the novel technology. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  depicts a perspective view of an air sampling and quality analysis apparatus according a first embodiment of the novel technology. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a cross section view of an air sampling device according to a first embodiment of the novel technology. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an air sampling device according to a first embodiment of the novel technology with the top cover removed for clarity in showing the internal components of the first embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a flow chart of a method of air sampling and analysis according to one embodiment of the novel technology, which may utilize the first embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts a flow chart of subroutine MB within the method of air sampling and analysis as provided in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6A  depicts a cross section top view of an air sampling device and quality analysis apparatus according to a second embodiment of the novel technology, with the top cover removed for clarity in showing the internal components of the second embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6B  depicts a perspective view of an air sampling device and quality analysis apparatus according to a second embodiment of the novel technology, with the top cover removed for clarity in showing the internal components of the second embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  depicts a flow chart of another method of air sampling and analysis according to another embodiment of the novel technology, which may utilize the device as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  depicts a flow chart of subroutine B within the method of air sampling and analysis as provided in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9A  depicts a cross section front view of an air sampling device and quality analysis apparatus according to a third embodiment of the novel technology with the top cover removed for clarity in showing the internal components of the third embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9B  depicts a perspective view of an air sampling device and quality analysis apparatus according to a third embodiment of the novel technology with the top cover removed for clarity in showing the internal components of the third embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  depicts a cross section top view of an embodiment of an air sampling and quality analysis apparatus. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  depicts a flow chart of an embodiment of the method of air sampling and analysis of the novel technology. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  depicts a cross section front view of an air sampling and quality analysis apparatus according to one embodiment of the novel technology. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  depicts a flow chart of another method of air sampling and analysis according to another embodiment of the novel technology, which may utilize the device as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  depicts a flow chart of subroutine D within the method of air sampling and analysis as provided in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  depicts an electrical block diagram of an embodiment of an air sampling and quality analysis apparatus according to one embodiment of the novel technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
         [0025]    Embodiments of the novel technology relate to a device, system, or method for the analysis of air and/or particulate matter in air. The device may be stationary or portable, and may operate on battery or line power. The system may be placed in virtually any location, including but not limited to a home, hospital, office, vessel, passenger car, vehicle, aircraft, or other enclosed or open spaces. Data and/or images from one or more air samples may be collected by an embodiment of the device according to the novel technology and, in some embodiments, the data and/or images may be transmitted by the device to a remote location using any convenient communication method known in the art, including but not limited to wireless or wired networks, or by physical removal of air samples as described herein, whereupon said samples may be conveyed to a remote site for evaluation and/or analysis by any convenient transport. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1-15  illustrate the present novel technology, a system  20  for analyzing the particulate quality of ambient air. The system  20  typically includes a housing or enclosure  25  defining an interior volume or flow chamber  30 , an air inlet port  35  and an air outlet port  40  typically positioned on opposite sides of the housing  25  and defining an air flow pathway  45  therebetween, an air flow actuator device  50  (such as an air pump, fan, or the like) energizable to generate flowing air through the inlet  35 , along the air flow pathway  45  through the interior volume  30 , and out the exit port  40 . A particulate collection device  55  is positioned within the interior volume  30  and in the air flow pathway  45 . The particulate collection device  55  typically includes an adhesive surface or sticky side  60  that is typically positioned in the air flow pathway  45  facing the inlet port  35 , such that when the pump  50  is energized, air flows onto and over the sticky side  60 . 
         [0027]    An optical sensor  65 , such as a camera, imaging device, or the like, is positioned to optically interrogate the sticky side  60 . Typically, the camera  65  has a field of view or focal plane  70  that intersects the particulate collection device  55  and/or the sticky side  60  such that the sticky side  60  may be sharply imaged. The imaging may be passive, such as a digital image generated by a digital camera  65 , or active, such as by manipulation of a light beam from an optical sensor system  65  having a laser, LED or like source  75  positioned to shine a beam onto and/or through the sticky side  60  to be reflected/refracted/scattered/transmitted to appropriately positioned light sensors  80 . The optical sensor  65  is connected in electric communication with an electronic controller  85 , and image/sensor data is transmitted to the electronic controller  85  for analysis and storage. The electronic controller  85  is typically connected in electric communication with a remote memory  90 . 
         [0028]    According to some embodiments of the novel technology include apparata that comprise an exterior housing  20  and an air pump  50 , such as a fan, to draw air into the housing apparatus. Air flows into an inlet opening in the apparatus  20  as a result of lower pressure caused by the air pump  50 . Alternately, a fan  50  could be placed at the inlet opening to push air through the device  20  as a result of higher pressure. The air to be sampled enters into one or more ducts or chambers  30  that may contain laminar flow vanes to help define the air flow path  45  or, in other embodiments, the air can generally flow through open space  30  in the interior of the apparatus  20  and then onto and past a particulate impact device  55 . The particulate impact device  55  may be comprised of a (typically adhesive) collection member  95 , such as a membrane, film, tape, slide, filler or the like to which particulate matter may adhere to be collected. Air exits past the air pump  50  and discharges the apparatus through an exhaust port  40 , which in some embodiments may have a cover  100 . Likewise, the air inlet port  35  may have a port cover  105 . 
         [0029]    In embodiments where the particulate impact device  55  is a flat slide or membrane, the particulate impact device  55  may be held in place by one or more slide holders  115  for holding a slide frame  110  supporting and, typically, centering, a strip or portion of film or membrane  95 . Such a slide holder  115  may be a separate component, or an integrated piece of the casing or other component. 
         [0030]    The exterior housing  25  may have an optional dust brow  195  and/or an optional air inlet movable cover  105 . A power actuation switch  120  is typically provided on the exterior of the apparatus in any position practicable, and is connected between the power source  135  and the air flow actuator  50  and/or optical system  65  and/or controller  85 . Similarly, an optional display  125  may be present on the exterior of the housing  25  and connected in electric communication with the controller  85 . The display  125  may provide control messages to the system  20 , may provide device messages and warnings, and/or may provide direct feedback to the consumer to indicate a level of concern regarding indoor environment, such as high humidity, high temperature, high particulate counts, high mold counts, or even after analysis the level of particulate pollutants and/or device status. The exterior housing  25  may optionally include a port  130  for an external power supply. The exterior housing  25  may also optionally include one or more hatches  140  with covers  145  to  40  allow for access to the internal device, such as for replacement of particulate impact devices  55 , membranes or filters  95 , and like components. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments of the present novel technology, the apparatus  20  also includes an image capture device  65 . This image capture device may be located anywhere within or without the apparatus housing  25  such that an image of particles on the particulate impact device  55  may be appropriately captured. Thus, the image capture device  65  may be located on the same side of the particulate impact device  55  as the actual particles, captured, or may be between the particulate impact device  55  and the air pump  50 , so as to view and digitally record and/or transmit images of the particulate matter captured on the other side  60  of the particulate impact device  55  and in line with the direction of flow of air, or may also be positioned at other angles within or even outside the housing  25 . The image capture device  65  does not have to be directed at the sticky side  60  currently in the air flowpath  45 , but may instead interrogate images on membranes or films  95  that have been advanced and are no longer in the line of air flow  45  in the device  20 . The image capture device  65  may comprise a camera capturing still photographs or images or a video camera for real-time imagery. The optical sensor  65  may also include an integrated microscope or zoom lens assembly  150  and/or imaging capturing methods and/or specialized software to enhance and/or magnify the view of the particulate impact device and particles. The particles may be viewed and illuminated by light sources  75  which may shine from the front, side and/or back of the particulate capture device  55 . Control of the focus of the camera  65 , microscope  150 , or other components of the image capture device  65  may be facilitated by the electronic controller  85 , or via remotely controlled movement of the camera and/or microscope  65 ,  150 , or other mechanical positioning guides  155 . Within the airstream  45  of the air being sampled may be located one or more sensors  65 ,  80 ,  185  to monitor or measure air flow velocity, rate, or other properties. 
         [0032]    In this embodiment of the novel technology, microscopic images of particulate matter captured on the membrane/tape/slide/filter are produced. The images can be stored within the device and/or transmitted and stored via communication systems, computer systems, WIFI, or the internet to a remote location for analysis by a person or specialized software systems. The types and quantities of fungal mold spores that are present can be identified as well as the types and quantities of other particulate matter that may be present. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment of the device, additional sensors may be connected to, or placed on or within the device to detect, record, store, and transmit additional data such as air temperature, humidity, relative humidity, and due point data at the time of the sample and/or during periods of time prior to or following the time sampling is conducted. With this feature, a record over time of such data can be obtained and analyzed. 
         [0034]    In an embodiment of the novel technology, air enters the device  20  through and air inlet port  35  in the exterior housing  25 . The air inlet port  35  is equipped with an optional movable air inlet cover  105 . From the air inlet port  35  air enters the enclosed air flow chamber  30 . An inlet cover actuator  160  may be used to control quantity of air to enter the chamber, and the cover actuator  160  may in turn be operationally connected to and controlled by the electronic controller  85 . The flow of air may likewise be controlled the electronic controller  85  adjusting the air pump  50 . An air aliquot passes through the enclosed air flow chamber  30  and makes contact with the exposed portion of the particulate impact device  55 , which in this embodiment is shown as a membrane tape cassette  165 . Particulates in the air contact and adhere to the membrane  95  supported by the membrane tape cassette  165 . The membrane tape cassette  165  is held in place by a membrane cassette receptacle  175 . Within the receptacle  175 , a support table  170  may be present to keep the exposed portion  60  of the membrane  95  in place, and this support table  170  may be adjusted either manually (via screws or other adjustment methods) or via electronic adjustment/actuation instructions provided by the electronic controller  85 . 
         [0035]    The image capture device  65  is typically an imaging camera with a light source  75 . Guides  155  support and secure the imaging camera  65 . The focus and positioning of the imaging camera  65  may be controlled by the electronic controller  85 . An additional light source  75  provides optional backlighting for effective capture of an image of the particles on the membrane. After making contact with the exposed portion  60  of the membrane  95 , wherein particles in the air impact and captured by the membrane  95 , the air exits the embodiment device via the exhaust  40 , which in  FIG. 12  includes a movable exhaust air cover  105 , which may be a rotating cover, valve, or the like, but can take the form of any one-way valve. The light source  75 , central processing and control module  85 , actuators  160 , image capture device  65 , and other systems that require power are powered by a power supply system  135 , which may include a battery or other electrical sources. 
         [0036]    An advantage of the membrane tape cassette  165  as a particulate impact device  55  is that a series of air samples may be captured and physically spooled and stored, such that images may be generated as the samples are taken or later, as desired, over a period of time, allowing multiple samples for review and analysis. 
         [0037]    Another advantage of the novel technology is the ability of the device  20  to be programmable so it may automatically cycle on and off according to a pre-determined schedule, environmental changes as detected by sensor inputs, or manual inputs. The automatic and programmable control function allows more effective air sampling because the device  20  can be run for many short cycles over extended periods of time thus yielding more representative data, analysis, findings, results, and conclusions in comparison to a single sample that may be significantly affected by anomalous events such as a homeowner using their fireplace, a person painting a room inside the house, or having carpets cleaned inside a residence. 
         [0038]    Another advantage of some device embodiments of the novel technology is that it brings together, in one apparatus, the sampling/collection of air samples with the analysis of the same sample. The device  20  may facilitate both the collection and analysis functions. The device  20  can be installed in one location over an extended period of time for multiple samplings, or the device  20  may be delivered to a location for a use in a short period of time. At the sample location a user may own or lease the device  20 , or a user may request a service person to deliver, operate, and remove the device. 
         [0039]    The rate and quantity of air flow used to gather an air sample may be varied to facilitate predetermined or desired air sample volumes, as well as to confirm proper function of the device  20 . In some embodiments, the device  20  may further include a sell-calibrating feature to ensure proper air flow during its operation. The air flow is typically between one liter/minute and fifty liters/minute, more typically about fifteen liters/minute, although other rates may be selected. Cycle time or duration of air flow for an individual test is typically between one minute and thirty minutes, more typically about ten minutes, although shorter or longer cycle times may be selected. It is envisioned that in some applications, cycle time may be on the order of days, weeks, or even longer. For typical cycle time/flow rate combinations, the typical volume of air urged through the inner volume  25  will be about one hundred and fifty liters. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments of the device  20 , at least one sensor  185  may be located in the air stream to provide electronic feedback to the electronic controller  85  and/or a remote computer or control module  190  which in turn regulates the operation of the air pump/fan. The sensor  185  may be a hot wire type, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an anemometer, or other types of sensors and combinations thereof that would provide data useful for analysis. It is envisioned that temperature and humidity data will be collected for each test cycle, and that such data will be archived to provide a history. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments of the novel technology, the air pump  50  in the air sampling device  20  may be adjusted to control the flow of air therethrough, either locally via manual adjustment, locally via electronic controller  85  adjustment, or via remote inputs. In the embodiments comprising manual local control of air flow volume per unit of time, the control of air flow may be achieved by a variable potentiometer in series with a power supply  135  for the air pump  50 . The potentiometer may be located on a surface of the enclosure  25 , or may protrude through a surface of the enclosure  25 , such that is able to be adjusted without opening the enclosure  25 . In the embodiments which comprise remote control of air flow volume per unit of time, computer executable instructions may be received from a remote user through wireless transceiver  220  where they are communicated to controller  85  for execution, whereby the execution of these instructions causes the air pump  50  to increase or decrease its output, resulting in an increase or decrease of air flow volume per unit of time (see, for example, FIG. 15 ). In this manner, the air flow volume per unit of time of the sampled air may be adjusted either locally or manually in order to meet air testing requirements. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments of the novel technology, the inner workings of air sampling system  20  may be designed to facilitate keeping the system  20  clean and free of foreign material or build-up of dust or other such material in the interior of the apparatus. Embodiments of the novel technology, may feature air-tight and/or dust-resistant sealed enclosure  25  with automatically or manually moveable covers  100 ,  105 , such as the protective cover  105  for air inlet  35  and exhaust cover  100  for the exit port  40 , shown on  FIG. 12  at the air inlet and discharge points. When the device  20  is not operating to take air samples, the covers  100 ,  105  are normally closed, sealing the inlet and exhaust openings  35 ,  40 . When the device  20  is operating to take air samples, the covers  100 ,  105  are automatically opened immediately before the air pump/fan  50  is operated, and the covers  100 ,  105  are then closed after completion of the sampling. All openings  100 ,  105  in the device housing  25  are typically sealed dust-tight. 
         [0043]    Optimally, the ability for dust or dirt to settle onto or near the air inlet opening  35  is minimized by positioning of a dust brow  195 , such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . The dust brow  195  projects from the surface of the device  20  and extends outwardly therefrom to create a ledge or shell above the air inlet  35  and upon which dust or dirt can settle to preclude the material from settling on, in, or near the air inlet  35 . The dust brow  195  prevents or minimizes entry of contaminants into the device  20  when the air inlet  35  is opened for testing or the like. In other embodiments in which the air inlet is not vertical, different methods for controlling build-up of dust or dirt near the air inlet opening  35  may be employed. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments of the novel technology, the particulate impact device  55  may include a removable and replaceable membrane cartridge  175 . The membrane cartridge  175  typically includes first and second spools  200 ,  205  that support a continuous ribbon of a tape or film  95 , typically having an adhesive side  60  that is faced into the air stream  45  during air sampling. Typically, such film  95  is adhesive and transparent. As the membrane  95  is unwound from the first spool  205 , the second spool  200  winds up and collects the used membrane ribbon  95 , such as in a traditional audio or VHS cassette tape. In embodiments of the novel technology, the cassette  175  is advanced briefly then stopped for each sampling cycle. This allows a fresh section of membrane ribbon  95  to advance into the sampling zone  45 . Use of the membrane cassette  165  allows a new and “clean” section of the membrane  95  to be advanced into the air stream  45  each time a new request for sampling is made. Spooling of the membrane  95  controlled by a motor or actuator that advances the membrane ribbon  95  in a controlled manner via an on-board computer  85 , control module, or remote input. The membrane cassette  165  may also be advanced manually. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments of the novel technology, the membrane cassette  165  is replaced with different means or methods to place or change the membrane/tape, or with different types of capture devices such as spore traps, individual slides, disposable cassettes or slides, that can be either manually or automatically placed when a sample is needed. 
         [0046]    At a remote location, review, analysis, storage, or processing of data and/or images transmitted by or stored in the device can be conducted in either real time or after a period of time. Analyses of such may be conducted by either a person and/or a computer system, either which may also control the device. In particular, optical analysis of the test membrane or film  95  will include a counting of the number of particles of a specific and predetermined type, such as mold spores, captured by a predetermined area of test strip  60 . For example, optical searching may be done to identify mold spores in general, or to specifically identify which of over  100 , 000  varieties of mold spore are present and to provide a relative count for each type identified. An advantage of many embodiments of the novel technology is that neither air samples nor particles (analytes) collected from air samples need to be physically transported from a sampling site to a remote location for analysis. However, other embodiments of the novel technology, provide for methods that include sampling within the apparatus with shipment or transportation of the entire apparatus, or portions thereof, offsite for analysis. Preferred embodiments of the device can eliminate the need for a service person to visit a sampling site to gather samples or conduct analysis. Following use of the device, findings, information, measurements, data, reports, determinations, conclusions and related information about the air sample can be communicated, in ways noted above, from the remote location back to the sample location or other locations, or to any person or computerized system. 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, device  20  may feature one or more types of imaging devices  65 , detection devices, probes, sensors, and analyzers  80 ,  150 ,  185  attached to or placed upon or within the housing  25 . The device  20  interrogates the sample and gathers data and/or images which may then by transmitted (manually, by mail, phone, computer systems, internet, wireless (Wi-Fi) connections, data chips, radio frequencies, or via other methods) to a remote location. At the remote location, redundant and/or further analysis of the data/images can be conducted by technical personnel, automated systems, recognition software, and/or other analytical methods. 
         [0048]    The device  20  may have many different embodiments with differing arrangements of sensors  185  and instruments capable of determining many types of data or characteristics about a material sample that may be a solid, liquid, or gas. The device  20  can be thought of as a miniature laboratory brought to or placed at a location. The device  20  is able to conduct many various analyses of solids, liquids, and gases depending on the type of instruments connected to, placed upon or held within the device. The device  20  may be operated manually or automatically via computerized modules, software, systems, signals, or links with remote locations. The device  20  conducts analysis of samples, gathers data, and facilitates analysis of data to provide information and support the making of determinations, confirmations, or conclusion about a given sample, its constituents, or analytes that may be present. 
         [0049]    The types of information that can be gathered using the device  20  are not limited to temperature, humidity, relative humidity, dew point, particle sizing, particle counts, spore counts, spore concentrations, spore type, and analysis of other particulate matter found in air samples such as asbestos fibers, hairs, allergens, insect parts, rusts, and/or molds. Other uses of the device  20  are not limited to single molecules or atoms, but may also comprise complex aggregates, such as a virus, bacterium,  salmonella, streptococcus, Legionella, E. coli, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Rickettsia , spore, mold, yeast, algae, amoebae, dinoflagellate, unicellular organism, pathogen or cell. Virtually any chemical or biological compound, molecule or aggregate could be a target analyte. 
         [0050]    The device  20  may have embodiments that are suitable for analysis of human or mammalian health not limited to body temperature, weight, height, blood pressure, breath analysis, urine analysis, blood analyses, skin analysis, bacteria, presence of infectious or viral agents, as well as function or condition of eyesight, vision, hearing, and smell. In such embodiments, the need for a person to visit to a health clinic, hospital, or office is eliminated as is the need for a health care professional to visit an individual&#39;s location. 
         [0051]    The novel technology has device embodiments that are suitable for industrial or commercial applications not limited to manufacturing or processing facilities for: food, farming, agricultural, mining, chemicals, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, biological products, schools, commercial operations, retail stores, manufacturing facilities, industrial sites, restaurants, lodging establishments, transportation vessels, ports, and other spaces. 
         [0052]    Advantages of device embodiments of the novel technology are that it provides an all in one device to both sample and analyze a solid, liquid, or gas. Some embodiments of the novel technology provide data or image transmission to a remote location by various communication or computerized systems. 
         [0053]    Utilizing the method and system embodiments of the novel technology that include remote control of the device  20  can eliminate the need for a service person to visit sampling site for various purposes. In some embodiments of the novel technology, a consumer may purchase, rent, or borrow a device  20  for remote capture, and set it up in the space where air is to be analyzed. The entire control of the data capture and analysis may be done remotely using the computerized control features of the capture device  20  in many embodiments of the novel technology. 
         [0054]    Though heretofore the novel technology has been described with respect to air sampling, embodiments of the novel technology may be used for other applications as well. For consumers who have an embodiment device, it may be used, for example, to provide a download port for other data, or for sampling of a wide variety of solids, liquids and gases and providing raw data to a remote location for analysis. Additional ports via which data may be downloaded to the controller or directly transmitted to a remote location may optionally be included in some embodiments, such as the port  215 . 
         [0055]    Embodiments of the device  20  may be further modified as a need arises. Additional or different sensors or devices  150 ,  185  may be installed based on sampling needs, such as mold, pollens, air particulate, blood work, or analysis of water. 
         [0056]    In certain embodiments, the novel technology may incorporate other features such as a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide alarm, temperature and humidity sensors, a digital microscope, particle counter, and/or volatile organic compound (VOC) meter. 
         [0057]    Multiple embodiment devices may be installed in a home or office and feature networking controls/interface, either separately or unified. Embodiment devices may be made compatible with pre-existing software architectures and/or communication protocols. 
         [0058]    Embodiments of the novel technology may include security methods for WI-FI use and also for internet access control, such as encryption, password protection, and other known security features (WI-FI is a registered trademark, registration number 2525795, of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance, Inc., 3925 W. Braker Lane, Austin Tex.). Embodiments of the novel technology may also include the ability to remotely or locally control the device by manual or automatic methods. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a block diagram of an embodiment of the novel technology is depicted. The apparatus of the novel technology may comprise a controller  85 , which may be any electrical or electronic device capable of executing computer executable instructions, for example a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable or discrete logic elements, programmable array logic (PAL) circuits, programmable fusible link circuitry, dedicated custom processors, or any other electrical or electronic components capable of executing computer executable instructions. Controller  85  may be in electric communication with non-transitory computer readable medium  210  which may comprise computer executable instructions which may be read and executed by controller  85 . Computer readable medium  210  may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, and may comprise any number of semiconductor devices. Controller  85  may be in communication with an external communication port  215  which may be any serial or parallel port for communicating data known in the art, but which may be, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), mirco-USB, Mini-USB, RS-232, RS-485 or any other data port, including a custom data port. External communication port  215  may also be in direct communication with non-transitory computer readable medium  210 . External communication port  215  may be utilized to communicate computer executable instructions to controller  85 , to load and store computer executable instructions into non-transitory computer readable medium  210 , to read information from non-transitory computer readable medium  210  or to otherwise communicate with controller  85  to read system status or to provide control or status monitoring functions using an external computing device. 
         [0060]    Still referring to  FIG. 15 , controller  85  may be in communication with wireless transceiver  220 , which may in turn be in communication with antenna  225 . Wireless transceiver  220  may be any communications transceiver known in the art such as optical infrared transceiver, fiber optic transceiver or radio frequency (RF) transceiver, and may communicate with external devices by any wireless method, medium or protocol. For example, wireless transceiver  220  may comprise a transceiver operating under the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard known as Wi-Fi; or, alternatively, may operate under the wireless standard known as BLUETOOTH (BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark, registration number 2909356, of Bluetooth Sig, Inc., Suite 350, 5209 Lake Washington Blvd., Kirkland, Wash. 98033); or may operate at any RF frequency and under any data communication protocol such as 900 MHz, Z-WAVE (Z-WAVE is a registered trademark, registration number 2745803, of Sigma Designs, Inc., 1778 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, Calif. 95035), or any other RF frequency and under any protocol, whether standard or custom, analog or digital. 
         [0061]    Still referring to  FIG. 15 , controller  85  may be in communication with air pump drive circuit  230 , which in turn may be in communication with air pump  50  which may be any device that is electrically controllable and is able to move an air volume, such as, for example, a fan. Air pump drive circuit  230  may be any circuit that converts a digital output containing air pump drive signals from controller  230  to analog signals suitable for controlling air pump  50 . In an embodiment, air pump drive circuit  230  may comprise a digital to analog converter and analog amplifier. In this manner, controller  85  may execute computer executable instructions stored in non-transitory computer readable medium  210  for the purposes of controlling air pump  50  to be in an on state, and off state, and in an embodiment may also control a parameter of air pump  50  directed to controlling airflow volume, such as, for example, fan speed. Likewise, controller  85  may be in communication with drive spool  200  for the purposes of controlling drive spool  200  and therefore to control the movement of particulate impact device  55 . In this manner, microprocessor or controller  85  may execute computer executable instructions stored in non-transitory computer readable medium  210  for the purposes of controlling the movement of particulate impact medium  55  by controlling drive spool  200  to rotate, sees rotating, and in an embodiment, control the speed of rotation of drive spool  200 . Thus controller  85  controls the movement of air and the movement of particulate impact device  55  so as to have complete control over the collection of air samples. 
         [0062]    Controller  85  may be in communication with light source  75 , which may be for example an LED light source, and condensing light source or any other light source. Controller  85  may be in communication with light source  75  through light source drive circuit  235 . In an embodiment, light source drive circuit  235  may comprise a digital to analog converter and analog amplifier. In this manner, controller  85  may execute computer executable instructions stored in non-transitory computer readable medium  210  for the purposes of light source  75  to be in an on state or an off state. For example, it may be desirable that light source  75  is in an on state to illuminate particulate impact device  55  so that particulate matter collected during the taking of an air sample may be readily visible to camera  65 . Camera  65  may be electrical communication with controller  85  such that controller  85  is able to control camera parameters such as on or off, focus, aperture, zoom and other camera parameters. Controller  85  may also be in communication with positioner  240  and is operable to command positioner  240  to be translated so that camera  65  can be brought closer to particulate impact device  55 , moved further away from particulate impact device  55 , or translated laterally with respect to particulate impact device  55  for purposes of achieving an optimum viewing position of camera  65  relative to particulate impact device  55 . 
         [0063]    Controller  85  may be connected in communication with display interface  125 . Controller  85  may execute computer executable instructions stored in non-transitory computer readable memory  210  causing the display of status information on display  125  as desired by the user. 
         [0064]    The electrical and electronic elements of the novel technology may be in communication with power supply  135 . Power supply  135  may be in communication with an electrical port designated  130  in  FIG. 15  and would may be connected to an external source of supply which may be a DC supply or an AC supply, such as common 115 V AC house current. Power supply  135  may also have an output for connection to the electrical and electronic components of the novel technology, thereby providing power to them. Power supply  135  may also comprise a primary and/or backup battery and backup battery control circuit which operate to provide power to the electrical and electronic components of the system in the event that the external source of power is not present at electrical port  130 , or in the event that and external power supply connected at electrical port  130  fails. In this manner, the novel technology is able to operate through power failures or when not connected to an extra source of supply. 
         [0065]    While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0066]    The present novel technology overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art in that it provides an inexpensive system or method of providing air quality analysis and, in particular, a system of capturing particulates within air and evaluating the nature and quantity therein. The system and method of the novel technology is adapted such that embodiments may operate to sample air and to provide either local or remote evaluation of the air quality samples taken by a system of the novel technology. 
         [0067]    The present novel technology includes an apparatus and system for the collection of samples and analysis of air and particulate matter in air. The apparatus may be stationary or portable, and may be placed in a variety of locations for a long period of time. The novel technology includes methods of remotely analyzing air quality. The novel technology further includes a method of sampling and analyzing aliquots of air.