A Miniaturized Particulate Matter Sensing Platform Based on CMOS Imager and Real-Time Image Processing

A miniaturized particulate matter (PM) sensing platform was developed. The platform uses a CMOS imager as sensor, electrostatic particle collector to collect ambient PM on an imaging substrate, and a laser diode as light source to scatter light from the particles. Image processing-based PM sensing algorithm was developed to obtain particle number, size, and size distribution in real time. The system is compact, power efficient, and low cost. The PM sensing platform is suitable for personal PM exposure monitoring with applications in environmental health, occupational, and epidemiological studies.