Bringing UFP Monitoring Outdoors with the New MODULAIR-UFP
For years, the research community has understood that UFPs pose significant health risks, yet we've lacked practical tools to monitor them effectively outside of the lab.
Today, we're excited to share something we've been working on for a long time: the MODULAIR-UFP, our newest sensor that brings research-grade UFP measurements to outdoor environments, reliably, and at scale.
Why This Matters
Most of what we know about ultrafine particles comes from studies done either in the lab or at single reference locations using powerful butanol-based condensation particle counters (CPCs). However, those instruments are often expensive, power-hungry, and need to operate under constrained laboratory conditions. In short, they weren't designed to be used outdoors.
The need to measure UFPs in the real world has never been greater. Urban and roadside exposures, emissions from combustion sources – these are all fundamentally outdoor phenomena. To study them effectively, we need tools that can collect data where the problems are without constant intervention and management.
What We've Built
The MODULAIR-UFP is a compact, water-based, pulsed condensation particle counter built for long-term, outdoor use. It measures UFPs with high temporal resolution and is paired with a Gill(R) weather station to provide critical meteorological context - temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and more.
We've also integrated smart features to keep your deployments running:
- Easy installation with a compact design - get up and running in less than five minutes
- Low power consumption
- Automated reservoir tracking to ensure you don't run dry and reduce unnecessary trips to the field
- Real-time data collection via the QuantAQ Cloud(TM) for full remote management and data insights
These capabilities make the MODULAIR-UFP a practical, scalable option for research in the field.
MODULAIR-UFP in Action
We're already seeing exciting applications from early adopters. Dr. Dan Westervelt's team at the Columbia Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory is preparing to deploy several MODULAIR-UFPs near a major highway in New York City.
"With its compactness and portability, the MODULAIR-UFP opens up exciting new research possibilities. We are particularly looking forward to understanding emissions of ultrafine particles near a major New York City highway as a function of vehicle type, fuel quality, driving conditions, and vehicle age," he noted.
Dr. Pete DeCarlo, Associate Professor of Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, is also excited about the possibilities of the MODULAIR-UFP.
"Low-cost sensors have been an incredible tool for building out data on air pollution in areas where no measurements have been done before," he said. "Now, we have the potential to add key measurements on ultrafine particles and similarly increase our knowledge of these pollutants and the potential health risks associated with exposure to them. We are looking forward to adding these UFP measurements to our ongoing projects to see what new science we can pursue."
That's the type of UFP data that was out of reach until now. At QuantAQ, we've worked hard to develop tools that bridge the gap – sensors that combine scientific rigor with the practical realities of field deployment.
The MODULAIR-UFP is our most ambitious step yet in that direction. It's built for the real world, so if you're working on roadside exposure, evaluating regulatory gaps, or empowering communities to advocate for clear air, this sensor can unlock new possibilities for your work.