AirGradient Research

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.

“We are currently testing our new outdoor monitor Open Air in four continents at more than 20 co-location spaces. With the data collected we will fully understand the performance of the monitor in different climate zones and environments.”

Dr. Anika Krause, Scientfic Director AirGradient

Unique Approach

The Open Air outdoor monitor has been designed with a unique approach:

  • Open Source Hardware and Software. The monitor is fully open source including drawings, 3D files, schematics and firmware code. It is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0. All technical documentation can be accessed here.
  • Affordable. The monitor has been designed from the ground up to offer an affordable option for countries, regions and NGOs with limited financial possibilities.
  • Trusted Design. Using well tested and reliable sensor modules as well as ongoing extensive co-location testing, the Open Air monitors strengths and weaknesses are and will be well understood.
  • Full Transparency. We do not only publish the design of the monitor but will also publish all co-location data, results and compensation algorithms.
  • Extendable. With its open source design, the monitor can be easily extended with additional sensor modules or connectivity options.
  • Local Capacity Development. We actively support knowledge transfer to local entities that want to assemble and value-add to the Open Air monitor.
  • Availability. The monitor is available in our online shop but due to its fully open design, can also be built with components sourced elsewhere.

Scientific Partners

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.

Current Co-Location Sites

We are currently testing the Open Air outdoor monitor on more than 20 sites around the globe.

Open Air Monitor Co-Location Sites
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

Unparalleled Global Data Set

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.

Co-location with certified instruments

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.

Impact of environmental conditions

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.

A large collaborative network

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!

Open data to increase awareness

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.

Performance criteria

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.

Join Us!

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.

Feedback from our Scientific Partners

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…!

Professor Rod Jones
University of Cambridge

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.

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.

Dr. Henry Burridge
Imperial College London

Open Hardware Monitor

The AirGradient Monitors have some unique characteristics that sets them apart from other monitors in the market.

Parameters

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.

Accurateness

With our partnerships with research institutions in four continents that test the monitor against their reference instruments we can develop very accurate compensation algorithms.

Open Source Hardware

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.

Affordability

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.

AirGradient Monitors Used in the Largest Study of Classroom Air

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.

We’ve pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment.

Our Story

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!

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