Alphasense launches compact OPC-R1 particulate sensor

Sensor technology firm Alphasense has launched a ‘tiny but powerful’ particulate sensor, OPC-R1, measuring 7cm by 2cm.

The OPC-R1 is an optical particulate sensor using laser technology to measure particles from 0.4 to 12.4 µm in diameter, based on a spherical equivalent size of 1.5 µm radius.

The OPC-R1 particulate sensor

OPC-R1 has outputs for PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and histograms for up to 16 ‘bins’.

The sensor is supplied with PC software and a specification sheet providing performance data demonstrating good correlation with a TSI DustTrak.

Specifications

According to Alphasense, typical power consumption during the measurement mode is 95 mA and <5 mA with the laser on and the fan off.

Additionally the OPC-R1 weighs less than 30g and has an operating range of 0 to 95% (non-condensing) and -10 to +50 Deg C.

Alphasesnse director, Arthur Burnley, said: “In May 2018, the World Health Organisation published a report estimating that around 7 million people die every year from exposure to the fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

“Consequently, there is a large and growing demand for monitoring technology to enable organisations and citizens to check the safety of locations and identify pollution hot-spots.

“We believe that the prospects for the new OPC-R1 sensor are extremely bright because instrument manufacturers are seeking to employ advanced, cost-effective technology to meet this rapidly growing demand.”