We work with leading researchers in the field of air quality monitoring to ensure accurate monitoring devices and our monitors are used in some of the largest studies of indoor classroom air quality.
Dr. Anika Krause, Scientfic Director AirGradient
The Open Air outdoor monitor has been designed with a unique approach:
Our open hardware approach is of great interest to the scientific community as it allows easy addition and changes to the hardware and software of the monitors to adjust them to meet exact research objectives. We are thankful to our scientific partners to co-locate our air quality monitors with their scientific instruments and are working together to test the devices in different environments and develop compensation algorithms to closely achieve reference grade data quality.
We are currently testing the Open Air outdoor monitor on more than 20 sites around the globe.
| Co-Location Institution | City, Country | Deployment since |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | Cambridge, UK | February 2023 |
| National Astronomical Research Institute Thailand | Chiang Mai, Thailand | February 2023 |
| North West University / CAP | Vanderbijlpark near Johannesburg, South Africa | March 2023 |
| University of Washington | Guatemala City, Guatemala | April 2023 |
| Northwest Clean Air Agency | Anacortes, WA, United States | May 2023 |
| Northwest Clean Air Agency | Bellingham, WA, United States | May 2023 |
| Imperial College | Marylebone Road, London, UK | May 2023 |
| Imperial College | Honor Oak Park, London, UK | May 2023 |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada | Halifax, Canada | June 2023 |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada | New Brunswick, Canada | June 2023 |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada | Edminton, Canada | June 2023 |
| University of Environment and Sustainable Development Ghana | Physics Department, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana | June 2023 |
| FHI 360 | Kathmandu, Nepal | July 2023 |
| Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico | Mexico City, Mexico | August 2023 |
| Arizona State University | West Campus, Phoenix, Arizona, United States | August 2023 |
| University of California Merced / SEEN Team | Merced, California, United States | August 2023 |
| Center for Air Quality, Climate and Health of the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | Chennai, India | September 2023 |
| Communities Against Air Pollution | Richards Bay, South Africa | September 2023 |
| Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory | New York, USA | September 2023 |
| AFRI-SET - Air Quality Sensor Evaluation and Training Centre for West Africa | Accra, Ghana | September 2023 |
| Clean Air Asia | Manila, Philippines | September 2023 |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Delhi, India | Expected September 2023 |
| University of Birmingham | Birmingham, UK | Expected October 2023 |
| Stockholm Environment Institute | Nairobi, Kenya | Expected October 2023 |
| Stockholm Environment Institute | York, UK | Expected October 2023 |
By following a common research approach with all these co-location tests, we are building the first global data set of low-cost monitor testing worldwide. This allows us to understand the exact behaviour of the monitor in various environments in regards to climate and particle compositions. All the data and the compensation algorithms that we will develop will be published and allows organizations and citizen scientists a high level of accuracy.
The Open Air monitors are closely co-located with certified reference instruments which are regarded as the golden standard in air quality monitoring. By comparing the measurements from the Open Air monitor with the reference measurements, we can determine the measurement performance of the monitors.
The monitors are tested at various geographic locations with diverse climatic conditions and pollution levels. This way, the impact of the environmental conditions on the monitoring performance can be systematically studied.
Currently, more then 20 international research organisations, NGOs and action groups are voluntarily supporting this co-location project, for example by providing reference instrumentation and air quality expertise. More partners are likely to join. Thank you!
All AirGradient data collected during this project will be shared with the public*. This way we want to improve the public access to continuous air pollution data and increase public air quality awareness.
*Most reference data from our partners can already be found online.
To understand the measurement performance as detailed as possible, we will evaluate the monitor’s reproducibility, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and long-term stability. Furthermore, we will investigate if / how these performance parameters differ at very high and very low concentrations, through meteorological factors (e.g. extreme temperatures) or through interferences with other pollutants. We also plan to examine the impact of the particle composition and size distribution on the Open Air PM2.5 measurements.
If you are a research institution or NGO and interested in joining our co-location program, please contact us.
The more reliable data we can generate in different environmental conditions, the better we understand the strengths and weaknesses of the monitor and can develop accurate compensation algorithms.
If you want to learn more about our scientific approach, below video from our global co-location status meeting on October 10th gives a very good overview on the current status of the project.
In case you have any questions or are interested in participating, please reach out to us!
Having used the AirGradient indoor DIY kits as well as the commercial AirGradient ONE in awareness projects with schools and universities here in Thailand, I am very keen on piloting this new outdoor monitor. I am also interested in exchanging ideas and resources for student engagement with this open source projct.
Having tested numerous air quality sensors for the projects we are doing I found myself extremely impressed with AirGradient. Not only are they technically first class with their product, they have a level of engagement and adaptability which makes working with them very easy. A welcome element to this is their clear commitment to the importance of environmental issues, showing itself in their interest in the details of our projects - all this helps them to deliver…!
AirGradient have consistently gone above and beyond their contractual duties in order to better support the SAMHE Project. They have shown great flexibility and a genuine interest to listen to the complex needs of the project; as a result, they deliver valuable products and a friendly service, both in a manner that is timely for the project.
The AirGradient Monitors have some unique characteristics that sets them apart from other monitors in the market.
Open Air will focus on PM2.5 measurements with up to two independent PM sensors. Additionally, it measures temperature and humidity and other sensor modules can be added.
With our partnerships with research institutions in four continents that test the monitor against their reference instruments we can develop very accurate compensation algorithms.
The Open Air monitor is fully open-source and open-hardware licensed under CC BY SA and thus allows researchers and makers to easily make adjustments in the hardware as well the firmware.
The open design allows easy access to an accurate low-cost monitor for countries and communities that are not blessed with high budgets -but are often in areas with high air pollution.
We are proud to be the monitor provider for the SAMHE study in the UK.
SAMHE (Schools' Air quality Monitoring for Health and Education) is a collaboration between five UK universities (University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of York, University of Surrey and University of Leeds) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
It brings together scientists, students and teachers and establishes a network of AirGradient air quality monitors in schools across the UK, creating an unparalleled dataset which will help researchers better understand schools' indoor air quality.
SAMHE aims to give school communities the power to understand and improve their air quality. A Web App allows students and teachers to interact with the data from their monitor. They are able to see how their air quality changes over the course of time and how it can be influenced. This creates opportunities for students to be scientists and do hands-on experiments with their monitors.
AirGradient’s dedication to research and experience of working with school’s on the ground, made it an ideal partner for the SAMHE project and AirGradient was selected to provide more than 1000 AirGradient ONE air quality monitors for this project.
Besides the supply of the hardware, a key feature of AirGradient’s offer was the ability to customize the firmware of the monitor to meet specific research requirements, e.g. the dynamic customization of CO2 color bands and the frequency of data transmission.
Here you find important information for the co-location testing.
AirGradient started as a volunteer project to help a school in Northern Thailand monitor the air quality in classrooms during the highly polluted “burning season”. From the start, we worked with students and educators to not only increase awareness in the area of air quality by building monitors but also in understanding the health impacts of air pollution, and the positive changes that can be made to reducing air pollution.
So from the beginning we put a strong focus on open designs, robust and long-lasting hardware and a strong desire to support people from all around the world with affordable and effective air quality solutions. We believe companies like ours need to act responsible and work towards a healthier and more sustainable environment. As a result joined the 1% for the Planet movement where we pledge to donate 1% of our sales to organisations protecting our planet.
In our industry we see trends that are against people's benefit e.g. locking customers into subscriptions, not allowing customers to own the air quality data they generate or high ongoing costs e.g. through expensive expansion modules. With our open hardware, open source and open data approach we strive to provide much higher ongoing value for our customers.
We actively work together with partners from all around the world that share our vision to make accurate air quality monitoring affordable and accessible. Feel free to get in touch with us at any time if you have any questions or your project to share!