Air Quality Sensors and Drones Workshop at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)

This past week, we had the opportunity to engage in a one-week workshop at the EMPA, an interdisciplinary research institute within the ETH Domain. The workshop focused on advancing air quality technologies and, held in a unique “double hybrid” format, it brought together experts and participants across two distinct locations: a sensor-focused group gathered in Dübendorf, near Zurich, Switzerland, while a drone-focused group collaborated from Nicosia, Cyprus. This format was tested as a sustainable alternative to meeting at both locations while still allowing both teams to learn from shared online sessions. Additionally, each group dove into specialised, practical training at each location. On the last day, each group presented the results of this training to the other.

Building and Testing Low-Cost Air Quality Monitors

Our scientific director, Dr. Anika Krause, contributed a major part to the workshop and practical training in Dübendorf by leading a hands-on session focused on constructing and calibrating low-cost air quality monitors. Each participant assembled their own outdoor air quality monitor, placed it alongside EMPA’s reference station, and developed their own calibration strategy. This exercise allowed the participants to get acquainted with statistical methods using a real-world example.

In addition to the practical session, Anika gave a scientific talk to both groups in Cyprus and Switzerland, discussing the potential of (open source) low-cost air quality monitors, including advanced data quality assurance strategies such as automatically identifying common sensor malfunctions.

Benefitting from Each Other’s Scientific Excellence

The knowledge didn’t flow only in one direction. EMPA’s team is composed of leading experts in measuring different air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM_2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Beyond the structured sessions, Anika engaged in productive discussions with colleagues from EMPA, exploring avenues for performance testing and optimisation of the low-cost AirGradient sensors. These discussions included practical considerations for refining our test chamber setup and transforming AirGradient CO₂ measurements into dry concentrations - a scientific standard used for accurate outdoor data collection.

Key Outcomes and Looking Ahead

The workshop achieved several impactful outcomes. Each participant in the Dübendorf group now possesses a freshly calibrated AirGradient outdoor monitor and a thorough understanding of data handling techniques and quality assurance. As we look to the future, the insights and skills gained this week are set to make a lasting impact. By empowering researchers and practitioners with affordable, reliable air quality monitors and bridging the gap between advanced research institutions like EMPA and low-cost solutions, we’re taking steps towards more accessible and impactful environmental monitoring.