Fluid composition sensor device and method of using the same

Abstract

The present invention is entitled a fluid composition sensor device and a method of using the same. Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for detecting fluid particles and their characteristics. In various embodiments, an apparatus for detecting fluid particles and their characteristics may include a lensless holographic microscope configured to collect fluid particles via inertial impact. In various embodiments, the collection medium may be replaceable within the device. In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle may be selectively configured to avoid light reflection and scattering from illumination light passing through the nozzle. Various embodiments relate to a collection medium assembly for receiving particles from a volume of fluid within a fluid composition sensor. The collection medium assembly may include a collection medium, an orifice, a sealing joint, and a frame element, the frame element being configured to facilitate the continuous use of multiple collection medium assemblies within the fluid composition sensor.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Sensors and devices can be used to characterize various aspects of fluids in a variety of applications. As just one example, sensor devices can be used to monitor air conditions, such as monitoring and characterizing the particle content of an air stream. However, existing fluid sensor devices provide limited functionality in generating data indicating certain characteristics of a fluid, such as the unique characteristics and concentration of individual particles contained within the fluid stream. Fluid sensor devices can use holographic imaging methods to characterize particle characteristics and concentrations of particulate matter collected via inertial impact. It is desirable to improve various aspects of particle sampling and analysis. In general, it may be advantageous for fluid sampling devices to utilize sampling media that enable rapid and / or simplified sequential sampling of particles. For devices that utilize holographic imaging (such as lensless holography) for in-situ particle analysis, it is desirable to avoid light reflections and scattering in order to achieve optimal image quality.

[0002] Therefore, there is a need for improved fluid sensor devices that can reduce optical interference from inertial impactor sampling methods and / or enable analysis of multiple samples from one or more impactor collection media. Summary of the invention

[0003] Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for collecting and characterizing particles suspended in a fluid. Various embodiments relate to an apparatus for detecting a property of a fluid particle, the apparatus comprising: a fluid composition sensor configured to receive a volume of fluid, the fluid composition sensor comprising: a housing defining an internal sensor portion and comprising a fluid inlet configured to receive a volume of fluid; an inertial impactor nozzle disposed within the internal sensor portion and configured to receive at least a portion of the volume of fluid, such that at least a portion of the volume of fluid received by the impactor is directed in a direction of fluid flow; at least one collection medium configured to receive one or more particles of a plurality of particles within the volume of fluid, at least a portion of the at least one collection medium disposed within the internal sensor portion, wherein each of the at least one collection medium comprises at least one orifice configured to allow at least a portion of the volume of fluid to flow therethrough; an illumination source from which light propagates through the impactor nozzle; and an imaging device, The imaging device is configured to capture an image of at least a portion of one or more particles of a plurality of particles received by at least one collection medium; and a controller configured to determine at least one particle characteristic of a volume of fluid received by the fluid composition sensor based at least in part on the image captured by the imaging device; wherein the housing is selectively configurable between a first housing configuration and a second housing configuration, wherein the first housing configuration enables reconfiguration of at least one collection medium, and wherein the second housing configuration provides a secure seal to isolate at least a portion of at least one collection medium disposed within an internal sensor portion from a volume of ambient fluid, wherein a direction of fluid flow is at least substantially toward at least a portion of at least one collection medium disposed within the internal sensor portion; and wherein when the fluid composition sensor is configured to be in the second housing configuration, at least substantially all of at least a portion of the volume of fluid received by the impactor nozzle flows through at least one orifice of at least one collection medium disposed within the internal portion of the housing.

[0004] In various embodiments, the at least one collection medium may be disposed on a rotatable disk configured such that reconfiguration of the at least one collection medium includes rotating the rotatable disk about an axis to move the at least one collection medium relative to the interior sensor portion of the housing. In various embodiments, the at least one collection medium is disposed on an alignment plate configured such that reconfiguration of the at least one collection medium includes moving the alignment plate about a plane to move the at least one collection medium relative to the interior sensor portion of the housing.

[0005] In various embodiments, at least one collection medium may include a plurality of collection mediums, each of the plurality of collection mediums being configured to be disposed continuously in series within the internal sensor portion. Additionally, in various embodiments, the apparatus may include a first collection medium assembly storage chamber configured to accommodate at least a portion of the plurality of collection mediums, the first collection medium assembly storage chamber being positioned proximate to the housing such that the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the plurality of collection mediums from the first collection medium assembly storage chamber. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of collection mediums may include a corresponding frame element configured to facilitate the common storage and subsequent distribution of at least a portion of the plurality of collection mediums from the first collection medium assembly storage chamber. In various embodiments, the first collection medium assembly storage chamber may also include an actuator element configured to selectively apply a force to one of the plurality of collection mediums stored in the first collection medium assembly storage chamber so as to reposition one of the plurality of collection mediums to the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the device may also include a second collection media storage chamber positioned proximate to the housing such that the housing is configured to transfer at least a portion of the plurality of collection media to a second collection media assembly storage chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the plurality of collection media from an internal sensor portion of the housing.

[0006] Various embodiments relate to an apparatus for detecting a property of fluid particles, the apparatus comprising: a fluid composition sensor configured to receive a volume of fluid, the fluid composition sensor comprising: a housing defining an internal sensor portion and comprising a fluid inlet configured to receive a volume of fluid; at least one collecting medium configured to receive one or more of a plurality of particles within a volume of fluid, at least a portion of the at least one collecting medium being disposed within the internal sensor portion; an impactor nozzle disposed within the internal sensor portion, the impactor nozzle comprising: a nozzle inlet having a nozzle inlet cross-sectional area, the nozzle inlet being configured to receive at least a portion of a volume of fluid; a nozzle outlet having a nozzle outlet cross-sectional area; and a plurality of side walls extending between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, each of the plurality of side walls comprising an inner side wall and an outer side wall; wherein the impactor nozzle is configured so that at least a portion of the volume of fluid received by the nozzle inlet is passed from the nozzle outlet along at least a direction of fluid flow. substantially toward at least a portion of at least one collecting medium disposed within an interior sensor portion; at least one illumination source configured to emit one or more light beams so as to engage the at least one collecting medium and illuminate one or more particles received by the at least one collecting medium, each of the one or more light beams being emitted from the illumination source at a corresponding light beam emission angle; and an imaging device configured to capture an image of at least a portion of the one or more particles received by the at least one collecting medium; and a controller configured to determine at least one particle characteristic of a volume of fluid received by a fluid composition sensor based at least in part on the image captured by the imaging device; wherein the fluid composition sensor is configured such that at least a portion of the one or more light beams emitted from the illumination source extend through both a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet; wherein the impactor nozzle includes a particle imaging configuration wherein at least one of the plurality of side walls is at least partially defined by a cone angle corresponding to a beam emission angle of one of the one or more light beams, wherein the cone angle is at least as large as each of the light beam emission angles.

[0007] In various embodiments, the plurality of sidewalls may define a first nozzle portion and a second nozzle portion, wherein the first nozzle portion includes a first tapered portion extending between a nozzle inlet and an intermediate nozzle position, and wherein the second nozzle portion extends between the intermediate nozzle position and the nozzle outlet, the intermediate nozzle position having an intermediate nozzle cross-sectional width, wherein the first nozzle portion is configured such that the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional width is less than the nozzle inlet cross-sectional area. In various embodiments, the second nozzle portion may include a second tapered portion configured such that the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional width is less than the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area. Additionally, in various embodiments, the impactor nozzle may further include a central nozzle axis extending vertically between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, wherein the illumination source is aligned with the central nozzle axis.

[0008] In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle can be configured between a first nozzle configuration and a second nozzle configuration, wherein the first nozzle configuration corresponds to a particle collection function of a fluid composition sensor, and wherein the second nozzle configuration corresponds to a particle analysis function of a fluid composition sensor, wherein the fluid composition sensor is configured to selectively configure the nozzle between the first nozzle configuration and the second nozzle configuration. In various embodiments, the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle outlet in the first nozzle configuration is less than the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle outlet in the second nozzle configuration. In addition, in various embodiments, each of the plurality of side walls may be configured to move independently relative to an adjacent side wall of the plurality of side walls. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may be configured to selectively apply thrust to each of the outer side walls of the plurality of side walls.

[0009] Various embodiments relate to a collection medium assembly for receiving one or more particles from a volume of fluid within a fluid composition sensor, the collection medium assembly comprising: a transparent substrate; at least one collection medium disposed on the transparent substrate and configured to receive one or more particles from the volume of fluid; at least one orifice extending through the transparent substrate, the at least one orifice being arranged to be at least approximately adjacent to a corresponding collection medium in the at least one collection medium; and at least one air-sealed joint portion, each air-sealed joint portion being configured to surround at least one collection medium and one of the at least one orifices corresponding thereto; wherein the at least one orifice is configured to enable a volume of fluid to flow through the transparent substrate; and wherein each of the at least one sealed joint portion is configured to join one or more air-sealed components of the fluid composition sensor such that substantially all of the volume of fluid flows through the at least one orifice surrounded by the at least one air-sealed joint portion.

[0010] Various embodiments relate to a method for detecting particle properties of a fluid, the method comprising: receiving a certain volume of fluid via a sensor; directing the certain volume of fluid toward a collection medium via an impactor nozzle in a first nozzle configuration, receiving one or more particles of a plurality of particles within the certain volume of fluid via the collection medium; reconfiguring the impactor nozzle to a second nozzle configuration; illuminating the one or more particles received by the collection medium via one or more light beams emitted from an illumination source, wherein each of the one or more light beams is emitted from the illumination source at a corresponding light beam emission angle; capturing an image of one or more particles of the plurality of particles received by the collection medium; and determining at least one particle property of the plurality of particles of the certain volume of fluid based at least in part on the image.

[0011] In various embodiments, reconfiguring the impactor nozzle to the second nozzle configuration may include repositioning at least a portion of the impactor nozzle such that at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle is at least partially defined by a cone angle corresponding to a beam emission angle of one of the one or more light beams, wherein the cone angle is at least as great as each of the light beam emission angles. In various embodiments, the method may also include repositioning a second collection medium to replace the collection medium while capturing an image of one or more of the plurality of particles received by the collection medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0013] Figure 1 Exemplary fluid sensors according to various embodiments are schematically illustrated.

[0014] Figure 2 Shown is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an example fluid sensor as described herein.

[0015] Figure 3 Exemplary apparatuses for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure are schematically illustrated.

[0016] Figure 4 A flow chart of an exemplary method for detecting fluid particle characteristics of a fluid according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 5 Exemplary apparatus according to various embodiments as described herein are shown.

[0018] Figure 6 Shown is a collection media assembly according to one embodiment as described herein.

[0019] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7BVarious views of a collection media assembly are shown according to one embodiment as described herein.

[0020] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8B Various views of a collection media assembly are shown according to one embodiment as described herein.

[0021] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B Various views of collection media assemblies are shown according to various embodiments described herein.

[0022] Fig.10 Shown is a top view of a collection media assembly according to exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0023] Fig.11 Shown is a top view of a collection media assembly according to exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0024] Fig.12 Shown is a top view of a collection media assembly according to exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0025] Fig.13 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary device according to exemplary embodiments described herein is shown.

[0026] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B Exemplary apparatus according to various embodiments described herein are shown.

[0027] Fig.15 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary device according to one embodiment described herein is shown.

[0028] Fig.16 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary device according to one embodiment described herein is shown.

[0029] Fig.17 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary device according to one embodiment described herein is shown.

[0030] 18A to 18D Exemplary devices according to various embodiments described herein are schematically illustrated.

[0031] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19C A perspective view of an exemplary apparatus according to various embodiments is shown.

[0032] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20B Various views of exemplary devices are shown according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present disclosure more fully describes various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that some but not all embodiments are shown and described herein. In fact, the embodiments may take many different forms, and therefore the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided in order to enable the present disclosure to meet applicable legal requirements. Throughout the content, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements.

[0034] First, it should be understood that although illustrative embodiments of one or more aspects are shown below, any number of techniques (whether currently known or not yet available) can be used to implement the disclosed components, systems, and methods. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary embodiments, drawings, and techniques shown below, but can be modified within the scope of the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. Although the dimensional values ​​of various elements are disclosed, the drawings may not be drawn to scale.

[0035] As used herein, the words "example" or "exemplary" are intended to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as "example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily preferred or advantageous over other implementations. As used herein, a "fluid" may be embodied as a gas, a liquid, or a combination of a gas and a liquid in a single flow. Thus, the term "fluid" includes various substances that flow, such as, but not limited to, liquids and / or gases (e.g., air, oil, etc.). Thus, various embodiments relate to fluid sensing systems, such as gas sensing systems (e.g., certain embodiments are specifically configured to operate with air; other embodiments are configured to operate with other gases, such as inert gases, volatile gases, etc.), liquid sensing systems, and the like.

[0036] Overview

[0037] Devices configured to characterize and monitor particulate matter within a volume of fluid are described herein. The devices discussed herein may be configured to quantify and classify particles within a volume of fluid based at least in part on imaging of particles received by a collection medium of a fluid composition sensor. In addition, the devices discussed herein may be configured to characterize a particle composition within a volume of fluid by directly identifying the particle size and particle type of each particle in the particles received by a collection medium of a fluid composition sensor. By directly determining particle size and particle type, a device as described herein may be configured to detect changes in particle composition within a volume of fluid over time and / or position.

[0038] In addition, the device described herein may be configured to produce a clear optical output relative to an image captured by an imaging device of a fluid composition sensor. The device herein may include an impactor nozzle configured to minimize reflection of a portion of a light beam emitted from an illumination source. The device herein may include an impactor nozzle configured to minimize imaging distortion caused by a divergent light beam emitted from an illumination source incident on its sidewall and reflected toward the imager. For example, by minimizing the scattering of the light beam caused by the impactor nozzle, such a device configuration can reduce noise, which can reduce the ability of a fluid composition sensor to locate, identify and / or analyze individual particles of one or more particles disposed in a collection medium. The device may similarly be configured to avoid a reduction in the ability of a fluid composition sensor to reconstruct an image of one or more of the captured particles, which can result in reduced sensor performance relative to the use of machine learning to classify one or more particles.

[0039] In addition, the device herein can be configured to increase device reliability and user satisfaction associated with the device by utilizing a replaceable collection medium in conjunction with a fluid composition sensor. According to certain embodiments discussed herein, the collection medium for collecting particles from a volume of fluid within a fluid composition sensor can be automatically replaced (within a fluid collection position) upon determining that a predefined sample volume of fluid or a sample number of particles has passed through the device. The device herein can minimize intermittent user interaction with the collection medium, thereby speeding up the sample collection process, reducing the physical effort required by the user, facilitating measurement automation, and minimizing device failures caused by misalignment during user-defined reconfiguration of one or more device components.

[0040] Fluid composition sensor

[0041] The device 10 may include a fluid composition sensor 100 configured to receive a volume of fluid flowing therethrough. Specifically, the device 10 may be configured to receive a volume of gas, such as air, flowing therethrough. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may be further configured to capture an image of one or more particles of a plurality of particles present within the received volume of fluid. Figure 1As shown, the fluid composition sensor 100 may include a housing 101, an impactor nozzle 104, a collection medium 106, an at least partially transparent substrate 108, and an imaging device 110. In some embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may also include a power supply 114 and a fan or pump 112, the power supply being configured to power the fluid composition sensor 100, and the fan or pump being configured to allow a certain volume of fluid to enter and pass through the fluid composition sensor 100. In various embodiments, the fan or pump 112 is calibrated so that the flow rate of the fluid moving through the device is known / determined based at least in part on the operating characteristics (e.g., operating power) of the fan or pump 112. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may include a lensless microscope, such as one described in WIPO Publication No. 2018 / 165590, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the lensless microscope may utilize one or more techniques (such as lensless holography) to capture particle images of one or more particles of a plurality of particles received by the collection medium 106 as described herein. Alternatively, the fluid composition sensor 100 may include a lens-based imaging device or any other device configured to capture an image that can be analyzed by a device as described herein to determine the particle size or other particle characteristics of one or more particles captured by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the lens-based imaging device can utilize one or more imaging techniques (such as optical microscopy) to capture a particle image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 as described herein. In various embodiments, optical microscopy can include passing light through one or more lenses to magnify and capture an image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 within the collection medium 106, the light being transmitted through the collection medium 106 and / or the plurality of particles 120 disposed therein or reflected from the collection medium and / or the plurality of particles. As described herein, the fluid composition sensor 100 can be electrically connected and communicatively connected to the controller 200.

[0042] In various embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the impactor nozzle 104 can be configured to direct the flow of a volume of fluid received by the fluid composition sensor 100 along a flow direction 130 that is at least substantially perpendicular to and directed toward a receiving surface of the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the collection medium 106 can be embodied as part of a collection medium assembly. For example, the collection medium assembly can be embodied as a replaceable sliding member (e.g., Figures 5 to 8BAs shown in the figure, a replaceable collection medium 106 may be disposed within the slide. In other embodiments, the entire replaceable slide may be disposable and the collection medium 106 may be permanently fixed therein. However, in other embodiments, the collection medium assembly may include a collection medium strip 106 (for example, the collection medium strip may be embodied as an elongated collection medium 106 that is movable through the fluid composition sensor 100 so that a new (e.g., unused) portion of the collection medium strip may be exposed to the fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle 104). As another example, the collection medium 106 may be disposed on a rotatable disk and / or as part of a rotatable disk so that the collection medium 106 may be rotated relative to the fluid composition sensor 100 so that a new (e.g., unused) portion of the collection medium disk may be exposed to the fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle 104. It should be understood that the collection medium 106 may be embodied in any of a variety of forms. In other embodiments, the collection medium 106 may be permanently attached within the composition sensor 100, so that once the collection medium 106 is fully filled with particles from the fluid flowing through the composition sensor 100, the entire composition sensor 100 may be disposable. The collection medium 106 may be configured to receive one or more particles of the plurality of particles 120 via interaction with a volume of fluid. In various embodiments, the collection medium 106 may include a receiving surface 105, a back side 107, and a thickness defined by the distance between the receiving surface 105 and the back side 107. In various embodiments, the thickness of the collection medium 106 may be at least substantially between about 10 microns and about 1000 microns (e.g., 100 microns). In various embodiments, the collection medium 106 may include a material suitable for preventing one or more particles of the plurality of particles 120 from traveling into the receiving surface 105 at a certain speed before reaching the back side 107, so that one or more particles of the plurality of particles 120 are disposed within the collection medium at a certain distance along the thickness of the collection medium 106. For example, in various embodiments, the collection medium may include an adhesive (i.e., viscous) material, such as a gel. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may include a transparent substrate 108 positioned at least substantially adjacent to (e.g., directly secured to) the back side 107 of the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the collection medium assembly may also include a transparent substrate 108. Additionally, in various embodiments, such as those in which the collection medium assembly is embodied as a sliding member, the collection medium assembly may include a collection medium housing 113 that may define a handle 109. In various embodiments, the collection medium housing 113 may be configured to receive and secure at least a portion of the collection medium 106 and / or substrate 108.In various embodiments, the collection medium housing 113 can be configured to be removably positioned at least partially within the fluid composition sensor 100 such that the collection medium 106 is disposed within a fluid flow path of a volume of fluid traveling along a flow direction 130. In various embodiments, the collection medium housing 113 can be configured to have at least one opening positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the collection medium 106 such that one or more particles of a plurality of particles present within the volume of fluid can engage the receiving surface 105 of the collection medium 106.

[0043] In various embodiments, the collection media housing 113 can define a handle 109. In various embodiments, as Figure 5 As shown, the handle 109 can be configured to facilitate accessibility to the collection medium 106 and / or the housing 113, for example, to enable removal and / or replacement of the collection medium 106 from the fluid composition sensor 100. As described above, the collection medium 106 can be configured for use in conjunction with (or embodied as) any other suitable mechanism configured to facilitate transport of the collection medium 106, for example, a slide, a belt, a tray, or the like.

[0044] In various embodiments, the device 10 may experience increasing inaccuracy over time, for example, as the number of particles collected within the collection medium 106 increases (and the resulting physical properties of the collection medium 106 change due to the increase in the number of particles disposed therein). Therefore, one or more components of the collection medium assembly as described herein may be replaceable. In various embodiments, replacing one or more components of the collection medium assembly may include removing one or more components from the fluid composition sensor 100, and replacing the one or more components of the collection medium assembly with one or more at least substantially similar components. Alternatively, it should be understood that in various embodiments, replacing one or more components of the collection medium assembly may include cleaning, repositioning, and / or modifying one or more components of the collection medium assembly so as to reduce the number of particles present in a portion of the collection medium 106 exposed to the air flow within the composition sensor 100. As a non-limiting example, in various embodiments in which the collection medium assembly may include an adhesive tape, at least a portion of the tape may be removed to expose a new portion of the tape, the new portion being positioned below the tape and corresponding to at least a portion of the tape that was removed. As another non-limiting example, in various embodiments where the collection media assembly may include a disk, the disk may be configured to be cleaned so that the properties of the disk may be at least substantially similar to the properties of a new disk. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may be configured in part or in whole to be replaceable and / or disposable.

[0045] In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may include an imaging device 110 configured to capture an image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the imaging device 110 may be positioned at least substantially adjacent to the back side 107 of the transparent substrate 108 (e.g., in contact with the back side or spaced a distance from the back side) such that the imaging device 110 can effectively capture one or more images of the one or more particles captured within the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may have a designated field of view for simultaneously capturing images of multiple particles in the plurality of particles, either permanently and / or temporarily. The collection medium 106 may reside at least partially within the field of view of the imaging device 110 such that the multiple particles 120 captured by the collection medium 106 can be seen by the imaging device 110. As shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the imaging device 110 can be positioned below the transparent substrate 108 relative to the collection medium 106. For example, the imaging device 110 can be positioned between about 100 microns and about 5 mm (e.g., 1 mm) from the transparent substrate 108. Alternatively, the imaging device 110 can be positioned above the transparent substrate 108 relative to the collection medium 106.

[0046] In various embodiments, the imaging device 110 may be configured to capture images of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 using one or more imaging techniques such as lensless holography. In various embodiments in which the imaging device is configured to utilize lensless holography, the imaging device may computationally generate images of one or more particles received by the collection medium 106 by digitally reconstructing one or more microscopic images of the one or more particles received by the collection medium 106 without the use of a lens. Alternatively and / or in addition, the imaging device 110 may utilize an optical microscope to capture images of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In some embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 may be configured to simultaneously capture one or more images of a plurality of particles in the collection medium 106. For example, the fluid composition sensor 100 may have a designated field of view for simultaneously capturing images of a plurality of particles in the plurality of particles permanently and / or temporarily, as described herein. In various embodiments, the one or more images captured by the fluid composition sensor 100 may be transmitted to at least the controller 200. In various embodiments, imaging device 110 may be configured to capture one or more images at a first time and a second time, where the first time represents when device 10 begins analyzing one or more particles in plurality of particles 120 captured by collection medium 106, and the second time is subsequent to the first time. In such a configuration, the device is able to distinguish between particles present within collection medium 106 at the start of particle analysis and particles newly received by collection medium 106 by comparing corresponding particle images captured at the first time and the second time, and identifying any particles from the second captured particle image that were not captured in the first captured particle image.

[0047] In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor 100 can be connected to a power source 114 that is configured to receive power and power the fluid composition sensor 100. As non-limiting examples, the power source 114 can include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more constant power sources (e.g., wall outlets), etc. In some embodiments, the power source 114 can include an external power source that is positioned outside the fluid composition sensor 100 and is configured to deliver AC power or DC power to the fluid composition sensor 100. Additionally, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown in , the power source 114 may include an internal power source, such as one or more batteries, positioned within the fluid composition sensor 100. In various embodiments, the power source 114 may be connected to the controller 200 to enable power to be distributed to the fluid composition sensor 100 by the controller.

[0048] Figures 6 to 8B Various exemplary embodiments of collection media assemblies as described herein are shown. Figures 6 to 8B As shown, the collection medium assembly may include a collection medium 106 disposed on a replaceable slide, a collection medium housing 113 configured to secure the replaceable slide (and the collection medium 106) therein, and a handle 109. In various embodiments, the collection medium 106 may be configured to be attached to a transparent substrate 108, which may be further disposed within the collection medium housing 113. In various embodiments, the replaceable slide may define the transparent substrate 108. Figure 6 As shown, the collection medium housing 113 may include a tab adjacent at least a portion of an opening that is configured to receive a replaceable slide via a hinged connection that enables the replaceable slide to snap into a desired position. The collection medium 106 can be configured to be replaceable in that it can be removed from the collection medium housing 113 via the replaceable slide being deployed from its fixed position within the collection medium housing 113 and subsequently replaced with a different collection medium 106 (e.g., a new collection medium 106). In various embodiments, the collection medium housing 113 can be removed from the fluid composition sensor 100, for example, via user interaction with the handle 109.

[0049] like Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the collection medium housing 113 may include a slot along at least one side, the slot being sized to correspond to the cross-section of the replaceable slide, such that the housing 113 may be configured to receive a replaceable slide having the collection medium 106 disposed thereon via the slot. The collection medium 106 may be configured to be replaceable in that it may be removed from the collection medium housing 113 via sliding the replaceable slide from its fixed position within the collection medium housing 113 through the slot, and subsequently replaced with a different collection medium 106. The collection medium housing 113 may be removed from the fluid composition sensor 100, for example, via user interaction with the handle 109.

[0050] like Fig. 8A and Figure 8BAs shown, the collection medium housing 113 may include a removable face, such that the housing 113 may be configured to receive a replaceable slide when the removable face is in a separated configuration, and to secure the replaceable slide to a desired position when the removable face is in an assembled configuration. The collection medium 106 may be configured to be replaceable in that it may be removed from the collection medium housing 113 via separation of the removable face of the collection medium housing 113 and recovery of the replaceable slide from its fixed position within the collection medium housing 113, and subsequently replaced with a different collection medium 106. The collection medium housing 113 may be removed from the fluid composition sensor 100, for example, via user interaction with the handle 109.

[0051] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B Various views of a collection media assembly are shown according to various embodiments as described herein. Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the collection medium assembly 150 may include at least one collection medium 106 disposed on a transparent substrate 108, at least one orifice 111 extending through the transparent substrate 108, and an airtight joint 115A surrounding the collection medium 106, the at least one orifice 111, and the transparent substrate 108. In various embodiments, the transparent substrate 108 may be defined by a replaceable slide, as described herein. In various embodiments, the at least one orifice 111 may be positioned at least approximately adjacent to the at least one collection medium 106. For example, as FIG. 9A to FIG. 9BAs shown, at least one orifice 111 may include a plurality of orifices disposed around the transparent substrate 108 (e.g., two orifices disposed on opposite sides of the collection medium 106) so as to enable a volume of fluid to flow through the transparent substrate 108. In various embodiments, the air-sealed joint portion 115A may define at least a portion of the periphery of the collection medium assembly 150, such as a portion of the collection medium assembly 150 surrounding at least one collection medium 106 and one of the at least one orifice 111 corresponding thereto. In various embodiments, the air-sealed joint portion 115A may be used to prevent or limit exposure of adjacent or nearby collection medium segments 106 to the sampled fluid. In certain embodiments, the air-sealed joint portion 115A may be embodied as a rigid, at least substantially smooth component that is configured to interact with a gasket (or other flexible sealing component) of an air-sealing component of an apparatus as described herein. As another example, the air-sealed joint portion 115A may include one or more flexible components (e.g., elastic gaskets) that are configured to interact with corresponding components of an air-sealing component of an apparatus so as to form a seal that is at least substantially impermeable to fluid therebetween. For example, the air seal engagement portion 115A can be configured to receive and / or engage an air seal component of a fluid composition sensor such that at least substantially all of a volume of fluid flowing through the fluid composition sensor flows through at least one orifice 111 surrounded by at least one air seal engagement portion 115A. Fig.9A As shown, the airtight joint portion 115A may include a portion of the surface of the transparent substrate 108. In various embodiments, as described herein, the airtight joint portion 115A may include a plurality of airtight joint portions, each airtight joint portion corresponding to a respective collection medium 106 of at least one collection medium and at least one orifice 111 corresponding thereto.

[0052] Fig. 9BA cross-sectional view of an exemplary collection medium assembly according to an embodiment described herein is shown. As shown, the collection medium assembly 150 may include a collection medium housing 113. In various embodiments, the collection medium housing 113 may be configured to at least partially surround the transparent substrate 108 so as to embody the outer frame of the collection medium assembly 106. In various embodiments, as described herein, at least one sealing engagement portion of the collection medium assembly 150 may include a portion of the collection medium housing 113. In various embodiments, the collection medium housing 113 may be configured to facilitate the storage (e.g., stacking) of each of the plurality of collection medium assemblies 150 together and subsequently distributed to the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. For example, as described herein, the collection medium housing 113 of each of the plurality of collection medium assemblies 150 may be configured to receive a force from one or more components (e.g., an actuator element) of the exemplary device described herein so that each collection medium assembly 150 can be continuously transmitted in series from a storage position to the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor.

[0053] Figures 10 to 12 Various collection media assemblies are shown according to exemplary embodiments described herein. Fig.10 A top view of a plurality of collection media assemblies disposed on a rotatable disk is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be disposed on a rotatable disk that is rotatable about an axis such that the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 (e.g., including the plurality of collection media 106) may be moved relative to an interior sensor portion of a housing of a fluid composition sensor. The rotatable disk may be configured such that the plurality of collection media 106 may be moved (e.g., rotated) relative to the fluid composition sensor such that new (e.g., unused) collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be exposed to a volume of fluid flowing through an impactor nozzle, as described herein.

[0054] In various embodiments, the rotatable disk may include a plurality of coplanar and concentric disk sections, each of the disk sections including a portion of the rotatable disk on which one or more of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be disposed. Fig.10As shown, the rotatable disk may include a first disk portion 108A and a second disk portion 108B, and a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 are located on each of the first disk portion and the second disk portion. Each disk portion in the disk portion may be at least partially defined by a corresponding radial distance between the disk portion and the central axis of the rotatable disk, wherein the radial distance corresponding to each disk portion in the disk portion includes a different value, so that the plurality of disk portions may define a plurality of circumferential layers extending radially outward from the central axis of the rotatable disk. The plurality of disk portions may be configured to increase the capacity of the rotatable disk relative to the number of collection media 106 disposed thereon. In various embodiments, the exemplary apparatus described herein may be configured such that the rotatable disk may be rotated and / or moved linearly (e.g., in a radial direction relative to the disk) relative to the fluid composition sensor so as to position unused collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 to be at least substantially adjacent to the outlet of the impactor nozzle of the fluid composition sensor, as described herein.

[0055] As described herein, each of the plurality of collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be disposed on a transparent substrate. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the rotatable disk on which the plurality of collection media 106 are disposed may include a transparent substrate, however, an opaque or translucent material may be utilized to define the portion of the disk between the included collection media assemblies 150. For example, in various embodiments, the entire rotatable disk may include a transparent substrate. Further, in various embodiments, the rotatable disk may include one or more alignment keys 151 configured to facilitate manual and / or mechanical installation and / or alignment of the collection media 106 disposed on the rotatable disk, the position of the collection media allowing a volume of fluid flowing through the fluid composition sensor (e.g., flowing through the impactor nozzle) to pass through the surface of the collection media 106. The rotatable disk may include a plurality of orifices corresponding to at least one orifice 111 of each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150, the plurality of orifices configured to allow a volume of fluid to flow therethrough. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may include an air-sealed engagement portion 115A surrounding a corresponding one of the plurality of collection media 106 and at least one orifice 111 positioned adjacent thereto. In such a configuration, a volume of fluid flowing through the sensor may pass through the surface of the collection media 106 surrounded by the air-sealed engagement portion 115A engaged with an air-sealed component of the fluid composition sensor, as described herein. For example, the collection media 106 surrounded by the air-sealed engagement portion 115A engaged with an air-sealed component of the fluid composition sensor may be fluidically isolated from each of the other collection media in the plurality of collection media disposed on a rotatable disk.

[0056] Fig.11 A top view of a plurality of collection media assemblies disposed on an alignment plate is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be disposed on an alignment plate that is capable of moving about a plane such that the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 (e.g., including a plurality of collection media 106) may be moved relative to an interior sensor portion of a housing of a fluid composition sensor. The alignment plate may be configured such that the plurality of collection media 106 may be moved (e.g., linearly displaced) along at least two directional axes (e.g., an x-axis and a y-axis present within a plane) relative to the fluid composition sensor such that new (e.g., unused) collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be exposed to a volume of fluid flowing through an impactor nozzle, as described herein. Fig.11 As shown, in various embodiments, a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed on an alignment plate can be arranged to define an array including a plurality of rows and columns.

[0057] As described herein, each of the plurality of collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be disposed on a transparent substrate. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the alignment plate on which the plurality of collection media 106 are disposed may include a transparent substrate. For example, in various embodiments, the entire alignment plate may include a transparent substrate (however, in certain embodiments, portions of the alignment plate between the collection media assemblies may include an opaque or translucent material). Additionally, in various embodiments, the alignment plate may include one or more alignment keys 151 configured to facilitate manual and / or mechanical installation and / or alignment of a collection medium 106 disposed on the alignment plate, the collection medium being positioned such that a volume of fluid flowing through the fluid composition sensor (e.g., through the impactor nozzle) may pass through the surface of the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, one or more alignment keys 151 may be arranged around the alignment plate so as to correspond to specific rows and specific columns of an array defined by the plurality of collection media assemblies 150.

[0058] The alignment plate may also include a plurality of orifices corresponding to at least one orifice of each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150, the plurality of orifices being configured such that a volume of fluid may flow therethrough. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may include an air-sealed engagement portion surrounding a corresponding one of the plurality of collection media 106 and at least one orifice 111 positioned adjacent thereto. In such a configuration, a volume of fluid flowing through the sensor may pass through the surface of the collection media 106 surrounded by the air-sealed engagement portion 115A engaged with the air-sealed component of the fluid composition sensor, as described herein. For example, the collection media 106 surrounded by the air-sealed engagement portion engaged with the air-sealed component of the fluid composition sensor may be isolated from each of the other collection media fluids of the plurality of collection media disposed on the alignment plate.

[0059] Fig.12 A top view of a plurality of collection media assemblies disposed on an alignment strip is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be disposed on an alignment plate that is movable in a direction at least substantially parallel to a linear axis extending along the length of the alignment strip such that the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 (e.g., including a plurality of collection media 106) disposed thereon may be movable relative to an interior sensor portion of a housing of a fluid composition sensor. The alignment strip may be configured such that the plurality of collection media 106 may be movable (e.g., linearly displaced) relative to the fluid composition sensor such that new (e.g., unused) collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be exposed to a volume of fluid flowing through an impactor nozzle, as described herein. Fig.12 As shown, in various embodiments, a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed on an alignment belt can be arranged to define a row of collection media assemblies 150 extending along the length of the alignment belt.

[0060] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the alignment tape on which the plurality of collection media 106 are disposed may include a transparent substrate 108. For example, in various embodiments, the entire alignment tape may include a transparent substrate 108 (although it should be understood that the portions of the alignment tape between the collection media assemblies 150 may include an opaque or translucent material). Additionally, in various embodiments, the alignment tape may include one or more alignment keys 151 configured to facilitate manual and / or mechanical installation and / or alignment of the collection media 106 disposed on the alignment tape, the collection media being positioned such that a volume of fluid flowing through the fluid composition sensor (e.g., through the impactor nozzle) may pass through the surface of the collection media 106. In various embodiments, the one or more alignment keys 151 may be arranged around the alignment tape so as to correspond to a particular collection media assembly 150 of a row defined by the plurality of collection media assemblies 150.

[0061] The alignment tape may also include a plurality of orifices corresponding to at least one orifice of each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150, the plurality of orifices being configured so that a certain volume of fluid can flow therethrough. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may include an air-sealed joint portion that surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of collection media 106 and at least one orifice positioned adjacent thereto. In such a configuration, a certain volume of fluid flowing through the sensor may pass through the surface of the collection medium 106 surrounded by the air-sealed joint portion 115A that is engaged with the air-sealed component of the fluid composition sensor, as described herein. For example, the collection medium 106 surrounded by the air-sealed joint portion that is engaged with the air-sealed component of the fluid composition sensor may be isolated from each of the other collection media fluids in the plurality of collection media disposed on the alignment tape. As described herein, in various embodiments, the alignment tape may include a non-rigid (e.g., flexible, bendable, foldable, etc.) material. For example, each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be separated by a fold line, and the alignment tape may be folded along the fold line. In various embodiments, the non-rigid material of the alignment tape can facilitate compact storage of multiple collection media assemblies 150 such that the capacity of the fluid composition sensor can be increased.

[0062] Fig.13 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary device according to embodiments described herein is shown. Specifically, Fig.13 An exemplary collection media assembly storage chamber 160 configured to hold at least a portion of a plurality of collection media is shown. As described herein, in various embodiments, the exemplary collection media assembly 150 can be configured to facilitate storing (e.g., stacking) each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 together and subsequently dispensing into an interior sensor portion of a fluid composition sensor. Fig.13As shown, a plurality of exemplary collection media assemblies 150 may be disposed in a collection media assembly storage chamber 160. In various embodiments, the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 may store a plurality of unused collection media assemblies before the plurality of collection media assemblies are sequentially used for particle collection in a fluid composition sensor. The collection media assembly storage chamber 160 may be configured to at least substantially minimize exposure of each collection media assembly in the collection media assemblies 150 stored therein to the surrounding environment to avoid contamination of the corresponding collection media 106.

[0063] As described herein, the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 can be further configured to continuously transfer each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 stored therein in series to the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 can include an actuator element 161 configured to selectively apply a force to one of the plurality of collection media stored in the collection media assembly storage chamber to reposition the collection media assembly 150 from the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 toward the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. For example, the actuator element 161 can be configured to move from the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 to the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. Fig.13 The actuator element 161 is moved from the compressed position to the extended position. When the actuator element 161 moves from the compressed position to the extended position, the actuator element 161 can be configured to apply a force to the collection medium assembly 150. In various embodiments, the force applied to the collection medium assembly 150 when the actuator element 161 moves from the compressed position to the extended position can cause the collection medium assembly to be repositioned so that when the actuator element 161 is in the extended position, the collection medium assembly 150 can be in a receiving position within the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the receiving position can be defined by the arrangement of the collection medium assembly 150 within the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor, wherein the corresponding collection medium 106 is positioned so that a certain volume of fluid flowing through the fluid composition sensor (e.g., flowing through the impactor nozzle) can pass through its surface. In various embodiments, when extending from the compressed position to the extended position (e.g., so as to position the collection medium assembly 150 in the receiving position), the actuator element 161 can be configured to retract from the extended position back to the compressed position. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the actuator element 161 can include a gear drive mechanism and / or a lever arm mechanism that can be configured to operate in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

[0064] As shown, the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 may include a dispensing opening 162 in one or more walls of the chamber, the dispensing opening 162 being configured to allow one or more of the collection media assemblies 150 stored in the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 to pass therethrough when the one or more of the collection media assemblies 150 are transferred to the interior portion of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the dispensing opening 162 may include a dispensing door that can be selectively opened and closed to facilitate the selective dispensing of the collection media assembly 150. For example, in Fig.13 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuator element 161 can be configured to apply a lateral (e.g., horizontal) force to the collection media assembly 150 positioned in a loading position (e.g., at an uppermost position in a stack of collection media assemblies) to dispense the collection media assembly 150 from the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 through the dispensing opening 162. As described herein, the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 can be positioned proximate to a housing of a fluid composition sensor such that the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the collection media assembly 150 dispensed from the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 by extension of the actuator element 161, thereby repositioning the collection media assembly 150 through the dispensing opening. Thus, the dispensing opening 162 can be at least substantially planar with the interior sensor portion (e.g., the position of the collection media assembly 150 when used to collect airflow particles). As described above, the collection media assembly reservoir 160 may be configured to dispense the collection media assembly 150 through the dispensing opening 162 (eg, using the actuator element 161 ) to deliver the collection media assembly 150 to a receiving location within an interior sensor portion of a fluid composition sensor.

[0065] The collection media assembly storage chamber 160 can be configured to arrange a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 within the chamber so that they can be continuously transferred in series from a storage position to a receiving position within an internal sensor portion of a fluid composition sensor, as described herein. For example, the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 can define a loading position that is arranged adjacent to and / or at least substantially planar with the actuator element 161 and / or the dispensing opening 162, wherein the collection media assembly 150 positioned in the loading position can be the next collection media assembly 150 of the plurality of collection media assemblies disposed within the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 to be transferred to the fluid composition sensor (e.g., sequentially before each of the other collection media assemblies stored within the collection media assembly storage chamber 160). As Fig.13As shown, a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 stored in a collection media assembly storage chamber 160 may be arranged in a stack. As shown, the loading position may include a position near the actuator element 161 and / or the dispensing opening 162 (e.g., the top of the stack). In various embodiments, the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 may include a loading element 163 configured to arrange the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed in the collection media assembly storage chamber 160 so that when a first collection media assembly is dispensed, a second collection media is moved into the loading position within the collection media assembly storage chamber 160. For example, the loading element 163 may include a plate configured to have a biasing force applied thereto so that the plate transmits a corresponding loading force to one or more of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150. In such exemplary cases, a biasing force may be applied to a bottom surface of the loading element 163 (e.g., via a spring) so as to push a subsequently stacked collection media assembly 150 of the plurality of collection media assemblies into the loading position. In various embodiments, the biasing force applied to the loading element 163 and / or the loading force applied from the loading element 163 to one or more of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be either a constant force or an intermittent force selectively applied between subsequent dispensings of the collection media assemblies 150 so as to arrange the plurality of collection media assemblies so that at least one collection media assembly 150 is in a loading position.

[0066] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B An exemplary apparatus according to various embodiments is shown. As described herein, a fluid composition sensor can include a housing 101, an illumination source 116, an impactor nozzle 104, at least one collection medium 106 disposed on a transparent substrate 108, and an imaging device 110. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor can be configured to receive a volume of fluid within an interior sensor portion of the housing 101. The impactor nozzle 104 can be configured to direct the flow of at least a portion of the volume of fluid received by the fluid composition sensor 100 along a flow direction 130 that is at least substantially perpendicular to and directed toward a receiving surface of the collection medium 106.

[0067] As described herein, the impactor nozzle 104 may be disposed within the internal sensor portion of the housing 101 and may include a nozzle inlet, a nozzle outlet, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, the nozzle inlet being configured to receive at least a portion of a volume of fluid received by the fluid composition sensor. Each of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle may include an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. In various embodiments, the nozzle inlet may include a nozzle inlet cross-sectional area, the nozzle inlet cross-sectional area being at least partially defined by the periphery formed by each of the inner sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls at the nozzle inlet. Similarly, the nozzle outlet may include a nozzle outlet cross-sectional area, the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area being at least partially defined by the periphery formed by each of the inner sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls at the nozzle outlet. In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 may also include a central nozzle axis extending vertically between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet.

[0068] In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 may include a first nozzle portion and a second nozzle portion, both of which may be at least partially defined by a portion of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104. The first nozzle portion may include a portion of the impactor nozzle 104 at least partially defined by at least one tapered inner sidewall extending between the nozzle inlet and the intermediate nozzle position. The second nozzle portion may include a portion of the impactor nozzle 104 at least partially defined by at least one inner sidewall extending between the intermediate nozzle position and the nozzle outlet. As described herein, the intermediate nozzle position may include an intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area and may be defined by a plane disposed between the first nozzle portion and the second nozzle portion perpendicular to the central axis of the impactor nozzle 104. In various embodiments, the first nozzle portion may be configured such that the nozzle inlet cross-sectional area is greater than the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional width. In addition, as described in further detail herein, the second nozzle portion may be configured such that the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area may be larger, smaller, or at least substantially the same size as the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the impactor nozzle 104 is configured such that the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area and the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area are substantially the same size.

[0069] As described, the impactor nozzle 104 can receive at least a portion of a volume of fluid received by the fluid composition sensor 100, and can be configured to direct the volume of fluid along a flow direction 130 that is at least substantially perpendicular to and directed toward a receiving surface of the collection medium 106. For example, the flow direction 130 can be at least substantially aligned with and / or parallel to a central nozzle axis of the impactor nozzle 104. The collection medium 106 can be configured to receive one or more particles of the plurality of particles 120 within the volume of fluid via interaction with the volume of fluid directed from the impactor nozzle 104. As described herein, the collection medium 106 can be a component of a collection medium assembly, which can also include a transparent substrate 108 and at least one orifice 111. As described herein, the at least one orifice 111 can be configured to enable at least a portion of the volume of fluid to pass through the transparent substrate 108 and continue through the internal sensor portion in the flow direction 130.

[0070] In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may further include one or more air seal components 115B configured to engage one or more corresponding air seal engagement portions 115A of the collection medium assembly disposed within the interior sensor portion of the housing. As described herein, the one or more air seal components 115B may be configured to surround at least the collection medium 106 and the corresponding at least one orifice 111 so as to isolate the collection assembly 106 from the surrounding ambient fluid such that at least substantially all of a volume of fluid flowing through the fluid composition sensor flows through the at least one orifice 111.

[0071] As described, the fluid composition sensor can include an illumination source 116 configured to emit one or more light beams. In various embodiments, the illumination source 116 can be a laser, a lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), etc., which can be operated in conjunction with one or more lenses that are collectively configured to generate a light beam (e.g., ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, or polychromatic light) that can be emitted toward the collection medium 106, as described in further detail herein. In some embodiments, the illumination source 116 can be configured such that no lens is required, such as when the fluid composition sensor is configured to perform lensless holography, as described herein. For example, as Fig. 14BAs shown, the illumination source may be configured to emit one or more light beams along a light emission direction 131, such that the light beams may engage the collection medium 106 and illuminate one or more particles disposed within the collection medium 106. In addition, as described herein, the fluid composition sensor may also include an imaging device 110 configured to capture an image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the imaging device 110 may be positioned at least substantially adjacent to the transparent substrate 108 (e.g., in contact with the transparent substrate or spaced a distance from the transparent substrate), such that the imaging device 110 may effectively capture one or more images of the one or more particles captured within the collection medium 106. The collection medium 106 may reside at least partially within the field of view of the imaging device 110, such that the plurality of particles 120 captured by the collection medium 106 may be visible to the imaging device 110. In various embodiments, the imaging device 110 may be configured to capture an image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 using one or more imaging techniques such as lensless holography, optical microscopy, and the like.

[0072] As described herein, in various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor can be configured between an open housing configuration and a closed configuration. Specifically, Fig.14A A cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid composition sensor in a closed configuration is shown. The fluid composition sensor in a closed housing configuration can be defined at least in part by the engagement of at least one air seal component 115A with an air seal engagement portion of a collection medium assembly. As described herein, such engagement of the fluid composition sensor in a closed configuration can provide a secure seal around at least the collection medium 106 and one or more corresponding orifices 111 so as to isolate the collection medium 106 and one or more corresponding orifices 111 from a volume of ambient fluid, thereby minimizing unnecessary contamination of adjacent segments of the collection medium 106.

[0073] Fig. 14BA cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid composition sensor in an open configuration is shown. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor in an open housing configuration can be configured to allow the collection media assembly to be reconfigured relative to at least a portion of the internal sensor portion of the housing 101. In various embodiments in which the fluid composition sensor is in an open configuration, the collection media assembly including the collection media 106 disposed within the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor can be reconfigured so that the collection media 106 is removed from the internal sensor portion. For example, the collection media assembly can be removed from the internal sensor portion and transported to an exemplary secondary location. In addition, with the fluid composition sensor in an open configuration, the collection media assembly including the collection media 106 positioned outside the housing 101 can be reconfigured so that the collection media 106 is deposited into the internal sensor portion of the housing 101. For example, the collection media assembly can be rotated and / or displaced relative to the internal sensor portion so that the collection media 106 is arranged at least substantially adjacent to the nozzle outlet of the impactor nozzle 104. Although illustrated with respect to various exemplary embodiments described herein as including physical openings such that one or more components of a fluid composition sensor disposed within an interior sensor portion of a housing may be exposed to a volume of ambient fluid, it should be understood that in various embodiments, the interior sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor may remain at least substantially isolated from the surrounding environment in an open configuration to avoid contamination of the sensor.

[0074] Figures 15 to 17 Various cross-sectional views of exemplary devices according to embodiments described herein are shown. Specifically, Fig.15 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid composition sensor in an open configuration is shown, wherein the exemplary fluid composition sensor includes a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed on an alignment plate. For example, the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed on the alignment plate may be arranged to define an array including a plurality of rows and / or columns. As described herein, the fluid composition sensor may be configured such that when the fluid composition sensor is in the open configuration, the alignment plate is movable about a transverse plane in a plurality of directions such that the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 (e.g., including a plurality of collection media 106) disposed thereon may be movable relative to an interior sensor portion of the housing 101. The alignment plate may be configured such that the plurality of collection media 106 may be movable (e.g., linearly displaced and / or rotated) relative to the housing 101 such that new (e.g., unused) collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be exposed to a volume of fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle 104. As described herein, when the unused collection media 106 is disposed in a desired position at least substantially adjacent to the nozzle outlet of the impactor nozzle 104, the fluid composition sensor may be reconfigured to a closed configuration, thereby fixing the position of the collection media 106 relative to the nozzle outlet.

[0075] Fig.16 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid composition sensor in an open configuration is shown, wherein the exemplary fluid composition sensor includes a plurality of independent collection media assemblies 150, each of which is configured to be continuously arranged in series within an internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may include one or more collection media assembly storage chambers, which are configured to store at least a portion of a plurality of collection media assemblies. In addition, in various embodiments, each of the at least one collection media assembly storage chambers may be configured to distribute one or more of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 into the housing 101 and / or receive the one or more collection media assemblies from the housing. For example, as shown, the fluid composition sensor may include a first collection media assembly storage chamber 160 and a second collection media assembly storage chamber 164.

[0076] like Fig.16 As shown, each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 includes a collection media disposed on a transparent substrate, a plurality of apertures disposed adjacent to and extending through the transparent substrate 108 for the corresponding collection media, an air-sealed engagement portion, and a collection media housing (e.g., a frame element). As described herein, in various embodiments, each of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be configured to facilitate their common storage in a collection media assembly storage chamber. For example, as shown, at least a portion of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 may be organized in a stacked configuration, and the corresponding collection media housings may be stacked relative to each other so as to minimize unnecessary contamination of the collection media by physical engagement of the collection media with one or more components (e.g., corresponding collection media housings) of an adjacent collection media assembly.

[0077] In various embodiments, the first collection medium assembly storage chamber 160 may store a plurality of unused collection medium assemblies before the plurality of collection medium assemblies are respectively used for particle collection within the fluid composition sensor. For example, the first collection medium assembly storage chamber 160 may be configured to arrange a plurality of collection medium assemblies 150 within the chamber so that they may be continuously transferred in series from the first collection medium assembly storage chamber 160 to the internal sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the collection medium assembly storage chamber 160 may include an actuator element 161 configured to selectively apply a force to one of the plurality of collection media stored in the first collection medium assembly storage chamber 160 (e.g., in a loading position) so as to reposition the collection medium assembly 150 from the collection medium assembly storage chamber 160 toward the internal sensor portion of the housing 101 of the fluid composition sensor (e.g., aligning with the impactor nozzle 104). For example, in Fig.16 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuator element 161 of the first collection media assembly storage chamber 160 can be configured to apply a lateral force to the collection media assembly 150 positioned in a loading position (e.g., at an uppermost position in a stack of collection media assemblies) to dispense the collection media assembly 150 from the first collection media assembly storage chamber 160 into an interior sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor. As described herein, the first collection media assembly storage chamber 160 can be positioned proximate to a housing of the fluid composition sensor such that the housing is configured to receive the collection media assembly 150 dispensed from the collection media assembly storage chamber 160.

[0078] In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may include a second collection media assembly storage chamber 164 configured to store a plurality of used collection media assemblies 150 (e.g., collection media assemblies 150 that include a collection media 106 and include a surface that has been disposed within an interior sensor portion and has been passed by at least one volume of fluid such that one or more particles from the volume of fluid are disposed therein) dispensed from the fluid composition sensor housing. For example, the second collection media assembly storage chamber 164 may be configured to receive a plurality of collection assemblies 150 that are serially transferred from the interior sensor portion of the fluid composition sensor to the second collection media assembly storage chamber 168. The second collection media assembly storage chamber 164 may include a storage opening in one or more walls of the chamber configured to allow one or more of the collection media assemblies 150 dispensed from the housing to pass therethrough such that the one or more collection media assemblies 150 may be transferred from the interior portion of the fluid composition sensor to the second collection media assembly storage chamber 164. In various embodiments, the storage opening may include a storage door that may be selectively opened and closed to facilitate selective receipt of the collection media assemblies 150.

[0079] As described herein, upon determining that at least substantially the entire sample volume of fluid has passed through the surface of the collection medium 106, the fluid composition sensor can be configured to dispense the spent collection medium 106 and refill the interior sensor portion with unused collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor can be configured to receive unused collection medium assembly 150 (e.g., unused collection medium 106) from the first collection medium assembly storage chamber 160 and transfer the spent collection medium 106 to the second collection medium assembly storage chamber 164 at substantially similar times (e.g., simultaneously) or at different times (e.g., sequentially).

[0080] Fig.171 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid composition sensor in an open configuration, wherein the exemplary fluid composition sensor includes a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed on an alignment belt. Fig.17 As shown, a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed on the alignment belt may be arranged to define a row of collection media assemblies 150 extending along the length of the alignment belt. In various embodiments, the alignment belt is capable of moving in a direction at least substantially parallel to a linear axis extending along the length of the alignment belt, so that a plurality of collection media assemblies 150 disposed thereon (e.g., including a plurality of collection media 106) may be moved relative to the internal sensor portion of the housing of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the alignment belt may be wound around both the first alignment belt reel 165A and the second alignment belt reel 165B, which may be arranged together so that at least a portion of the alignment belt may extend therebetween. The first alignment belt reel 165A and the second alignment belt reel 165B may be further configured so that at least a portion of the alignment belt extending therebetween may have at least one collection media assembly 150 disposed thereon. For example, the fluid composition sensor may be configured such that the collection media assembly 150 disposed on at least a portion of the alignment tape extending between the first alignment tape reel 165A and the second alignment tape reel 165B may be disposed within the interior sensor portion at least substantially adjacent the nozzle outlet of the impactor nozzle 104 .

[0081] In various embodiments in which the fluid composition sensor is in an open configuration, as shown, the alignment tape can be configured such that the plurality of collection media 106 can be moved (e.g., linearly displaced) relative to the fluid composition sensor housing such that new (e.g., unused) collection media 106 of the plurality of collection media assemblies 150 can be exposed to a volume of fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle 104, as described herein. For example, the alignment tape can be configured to move relative to the housing of the fluid composition sensor based at least in part on the rotation of the first alignment tape reel 165A and the second alignment tape reel 165B. The first alignment tape reel 165A and the second alignment tape reel 165B can be configured to rotate in unison (e.g., in the same rotational direction at the same rate) such that a portion of the alignment tape extending therebetween can maintain a configuration in which one or more collection media 106 disposed thereon are at least substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the impactor nozzle 104.

[0082] 18A to 18D Schematically illustrates an exemplary device according to various embodiments described herein. Specifically, 18A to 18DExemplary devices including various impactor nozzle configurations according to various embodiments described herein are schematically shown. As described herein, the fluid composition sensor may include an illumination source 116, an impactor nozzle 104, a collection medium 106 disposed on a transparent substrate 108, and an imaging device 110. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may be configured to receive a certain volume of fluid containing a plurality of particles. The fluid composition sensor may be further configured to use the impactor nozzle 104 to direct a certain volume of fluid toward a receiving surface of the collection medium 106 in a flow direction at least substantially perpendicular to the collection medium 106, so as to facilitate the collection medium 106 to be engaged by the certain volume of fluid, so that at least a portion of the plurality of particles within the certain volume of fluid can be disposed in the collection medium 106.

[0083] As described herein, the impactor nozzle 104 may include a nozzle inlet, a nozzle outlet, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, the nozzle inlet being configured to receive at least a portion of a volume of fluid received by the fluid composition sensor. Each of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle may include an inner sidewall 104A and an outer sidewall 104B. In various embodiments, the nozzle inlet may include a nozzle inlet cross-sectional area, which is at least partially defined by the periphery formed by each of the inner sidewalls 104A of the plurality of sidewalls at the nozzle inlet. Similarly, the nozzle outlet may include a nozzle outlet cross-sectional area, which is at least partially defined by the periphery formed by each of the inner sidewalls 104A of the plurality of sidewalls at the nozzle outlet. In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 may also define a central nozzle axis extending vertically between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet.

[0084] like Fig.18AAs shown, the impactor nozzle 104 may include a first nozzle portion 104C and a second nozzle portion 104D, both of which may be at least partially defined by a portion of a plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104. The first nozzle portion 104C may include a portion of the impactor nozzle 104 at least partially defined by at least one tapered inner sidewall extending between the nozzle inlet and the intermediate nozzle position 104E. The second nozzle portion 104D may include a portion of the impactor nozzle 104 at least partially defined by at least a portion of one or more inner sidewalls 104A extending between the intermediate nozzle position 104E and the nozzle outlet. As described herein, the intermediate nozzle position 104E may include an intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area and may be defined by a plane disposed between the first nozzle portion 104C and the second nozzle portion 104D at least substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the impactor nozzle 104. In various embodiments, the first nozzle portion 104C may include a tapered configuration in which the nozzle inlet cross-sectional area is greater than the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the second nozzle portion can be configured such that the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area can be larger, smaller, or at least substantially the same size as the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area. Fig.18A As shown, the impactor nozzle 104 is configured such that the nozzle exit cross-sectional area and the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area are substantially the same size. As described, the variable cross-sectional areas of the various segments of the impactor nozzle 104 can be configured to increase the velocity of a volume of fluid (e.g., a plurality of particles therein) flowing through the nozzle and induce laminar flow such that at least a portion of the plurality of particles within the volume of fluid have sufficient momentum to impact the collection medium 106 and become disposed therein.

[0085] In various embodiments, the illumination source 116 can be a laser, a lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), etc., which can generate one or more light beams 300 (e.g., ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, or polychromatic light) that can be emitted toward the collection medium 106. For example, the illumination source 116 can be configured to emit one or more light beams 300 in a light emission direction such that the light beams can engage the collection medium 106 and illuminate one or more particles disposed within the collection medium 106. In addition, as described herein, the imaging device 110 of the fluid composition sensor can be configured to utilize the one or more light beams 300 to capture an image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 using one or more imaging techniques such as in-situ imaging (e.g., lensless holography), etc.

[0086] In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may be configured such that one or more illumination sources 116 may be arranged relative to a central nozzle axis of the impactor nozzle 104. For example, 18A to 18DAs shown, the fluid composition sensor can be configured such that the illumination source 116 is at least substantially aligned with the central nozzle axis of the impactor nozzle 104. In such a configuration, the illumination source 116 can emit one or more light beams 300 in a light emission direction extending at least substantially similar to the central nozzle axis, such that at least a portion of the one or more light beams 300 extends through both the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet of the impactor nozzle 104 to illuminate one or more particles disposed in the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, as the one or more light beams 300 extend in the light emission direction away from the illumination source 116 toward the collection medium 106, the one or more light beams 300 can naturally diverge from the light emission direction, such that the one or more light beams 300 can define a beam emission angle. In such a case, the one or more light beams can collectively embody a cone-shaped light beam at least partially defined by its outer edge, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the cone-shaped light beam increases as it extends toward the collection medium 106 (e.g., along the central axis of the nozzle 104). In various embodiments, the beam angle may correspond to an angle measured between an original light emission direction of the beam (eg, a central axis of the impactor nozzle 104 ) and an outer edge of one or more beams (eg, a diverging beam).

[0087] like Fig.18A As shown, the divergent light beam 300 (including one or more light beams) may include an outer edge and an inner light beam portion 301 defined by a portion of the divergent light beam within the outer edge. For example, the divergent light beam 300 emitted from the illumination source 116 may be at least partially defined by the outer edge 310. In addition, the divergent light beam 300 may also be at least partially defined by an outer light beam angle 311 corresponding to a divergence angle measured at the outer edge 310 (e.g., an angle measured between the outer edge 310 and the central axis of the impactor nozzle 104). For example, in various embodiments, at least a portion of the divergent light beam 300 may be constrained by the intermediate nozzle position 104E.

[0088] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the inner portion 301 of the divergent light beam 300 can have a sufficiently small beam angle so as to be emitted from the illumination source 116 and travel along the light emission travel path to the collection medium 106 without substantially engaging the sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104. For example, the impactor nozzle 104 can be configured such that a portion of the inner portion 301 of the divergent light beam 300 defined by the intermediate edge 320 and the intermediate beam angle 321 can extend between the illumination source 116 and the collection medium 106 through both the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet without substantially engaging the inner sidewall 104A of the impactor nozzle 104.

[0089] In addition, in various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 can be configured such that at least a portion of the divergent light beam 300 traveling therethrough can be incident on one or more of the inner sidewalls 104A. In such cases, the portion of the divergent light beam incident on the inner sidewall 104A can be reflected and / or scattered from the inner sidewall 104A. For example, as shown, a portion of the inner portion 301 of the divergent light beam 300 defined by a beam angle greater than the intermediate beam angle 321 (e.g., the outer beam angle 321) and extending radially between the intermediate edge 320 and the outer edge 310 can be incident on the inner sidewall 104A of the impactor nozzle 104. Thus, a reflected portion 322 of the divergent light beam 300 can be generated. As shown, the reflected portion 322 can correspond to the portion of the inner portion 301 of the divergent light beam 300 that is incident on the inner sidewall of the second nozzle portion 104D. For example, the reflective portion 322 can be turned upon engaging the inner sidewall 104A so as to travel through the nozzle outlet in a reflection direction that is significantly different from a light emission direction defined by one or more beams corresponding to the reflective portion 322 at the illumination source 116. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the reflective portion 322 of the diverging light beam 300 can continue to illuminate the collection medium 106 and / or the imaging device 110. In such cases, the reflective portion 322 of the diverging light beam 300 can affect the performance of the imaging device 110, resulting in optical interference that can be manifested, for example, by spatial variations in apparent illumination intensity captured by the imaging device 110. In various embodiments, the reflective portion 322 can generate image noise that can at least partially obscure one or more features of one or more particles disposed within the collection medium 106, as described herein.

[0090] FIG. 18B to FIG. 18C Schematically illustrates exemplary devices including various impactor nozzle configurations according to various embodiments described herein. Specifically, FIG. 18B to FIG. 18C An exemplary apparatus including an impactor nozzle 104 is schematically illustrated that is configured to avoid the generation of a reflected beam portion caused by a portion of a diverging beam 300 being incident on a sidewall of the impactor nozzle 104 as described herein. As shown, the impactor nozzle 104 may be configured such that a second nozzle portion 104D may include at least one tapered inner sidewall extending between an intermediate nozzle position 104E and a nozzle outlet. For example, as Fig.18BAs shown, the inner sidewall 104A at the second portion of the impactor nozzle 104 may include a tapered configuration at least partially defined by a tapered angle 143A, such that the nozzle exit cross-sectional area of ​​the impactor nozzle 104 is greater than the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional area. In various embodiments, the tapered angle 143 of the second nozzle portion may correspond to at least one beam emission angle (e.g., outer beam emission angle 311) of the diverging light beam 300 emitted from the illumination source 116. For example, the tapered angle 143 of the second nozzle portion may be at least as large as the outer beam emission angle 311 corresponding to the outer beam 310, as described herein, and thus may be at least as large as each of the beam emission angles corresponding to one or more beams defined by the diverging light beam 300. In such exemplary impactor nozzle 104 configurations, the inner wall 104A of the second nozzle portion of the impactor nozzle 104 may avoid interfering with the outer edge 310 of the diverging light beam 300, thereby avoiding the generation of reflected beam portions, as described herein.

[0091] like Fig. 18C As shown, in various embodiments, the taper angle 143A can reflect the difference in the configuration of the inner sidewall 104A as shown and the exemplary inner sidewall including a straight configuration (e.g., where the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area and the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional width are at least substantially similar, such as Fig.18A 143A). In various embodiments, the cone angle 143A can be small enough to minimally affect the velocity and / or laminar flow of the exemplary volume of fluid flowing therethrough, as described herein. For example, based at least in part on the configuration of the illumination source 116, the cone angle 143A can be at least substantially between 1 degree and 10 degrees (e.g., between 2 degrees and 5 degrees). In various embodiments, the cone angle 143A can be at least partially defined by the middle nozzle cross-sectional width and the distance between the illumination source 116 and the middle nozzle location. For example, in various embodiments, the cone angle θ143A can be defined by the following equation:

[0092]

[0093] Furthermore, although illustrated with respect to various exemplary embodiments described herein as including linear (e.g., straight) sidewalls, it should be understood that in various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104 may include an at least partially curved configuration. For example, FIG. 18B to FIG. 18C As shown, the transition between the first nozzle portion and the second nozzle portion (e.g., around the intermediate nozzle position) may define a radius of curvature. As another example, the inner wall 104A of the impactor nozzle 104 may be at least partially curved such that no portion of the diverging light beam 200 is incident on the side wall 104A.

[0094] Fig.18DSchematically illustrates an exemplary apparatus including an impactor nozzle configuration according to various embodiments described herein. Specifically, Fig.18D An exemplary apparatus including an impactor nozzle 104 is schematically illustrated that is configured to avoid the generation of a reflected beam portion caused by a portion of a diverging beam 300 being incident on a sidewall of the impactor nozzle 104 as described herein. As shown, the impactor nozzle 104 can be configured such that a second nozzle portion extending between an intermediate nozzle position and a nozzle outlet can include a straight configuration, wherein the nozzle outlet cross-sectional area and the intermediate nozzle cross-sectional width are at least substantially similar. For example, each of the inner sidewalls 104A on opposite sides of a central nozzle axis of the impactor nozzle can define an at least substantially parallel configuration, such that a cone angle 143 of the second nozzle portion can be at least substantially zero.

[0095] In various embodiments, to avoid interfering with the diverging light beam 300 (e.g., interfering with the outer edge 310), at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle may be laterally moved in an outward direction (e.g., away from the central nozzle axis) to increase the nozzle exit cross-sectional area and / or the intermediate cross-sectional area. The displacement of at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of sidewalls may effectively widen the second nozzle portion to enable the diverging light beam 300 to pass through the impactor nozzle 104 without being interfered with by one or more of the inner sidewalls 104A. As described herein, in such embodiments, the nozzle sidewalls may be moved in an outward direction (e.g., away from the central nozzle axis) for purposes of particle analysis (e.g., image acquisition) and may be moved in an inward direction (e.g., toward the central nozzle axis) for purposes of particle collection (e.g., controlling the flow of fluid toward the collection medium 106).

[0096] like Fig.18D As shown, a portion of one or more of the plurality of sidewalls defining the nozzle outlet may be displaced away from the central axis of the nozzle by a first sidewall displacement distance 144A. In various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of sidewalls may be displaced away from the central axis by a different distance, such as a second sidewall displacement distance 144B. Alternatively or in addition, in various embodiments, one or more of the plurality of sidewalls may be displaced away from the central axis of the nozzle by substantially the same distance, such as where the first sidewall displacement distance 144A and the second sidewall displacement distance 144B are at least substantially similar. In various embodiments, one or more of the sidewall displacement distances 144A, 144B may correspond at least in part to an outer beam emission angle 311 of a diverging light beam 300 emitted from the illumination source 116. For example, in various embodiments, one or more of the sidewall displacement distances 144A, 144B may be defined at least in part by the outlet nozzle size, the distance between the illumination source 116 and the nozzle outlet, and the divergence angle of the illumination light beam.

[0097] In various embodiments, as described herein, a fluid composition sensor may include an exemplary impactor nozzle 104 that is selectively configurable between a first nozzle configuration and a second nozzle configuration. For example, in various embodiments, the first nozzle configuration may correspond to a particle collection function of the fluid composition sensor, and the second nozzle configuration may correspond to a particle analysis function of the fluid composition sensor. As described herein, the particle collection function of the fluid composition sensor may correspond to the fluid composition sensor receiving a volume of fluid including a plurality of particles and directing the volume of fluid toward a receiving surface of the collection medium 106 using the impactor nozzle 104 in a flow direction at least substantially perpendicular to the collection medium 106 so as to facilitate the collection medium 106 to be engaged by the volume of fluid so that at least a portion of the plurality of particles within the volume of fluid may be disposed in the collection medium 106. For example, to achieve the particle collection function, the impactor nozzle 104 may be configured such that its nozzle outlet is positioned at least substantially adjacent to the collection medium 106. Further, as described herein, the particle analysis function of the fluid composition sensor may correspond to the fluid composition sensor capturing an image of one or more particles received by the collection medium 106, and determining at least one particle characteristic of the volume of fluid received by the fluid composition sensor based at least in part on the image. For example, to implement the particle analysis functionality of a fluid composition sensor, illumination source 116 may be configured to emit one or more light beams to engage collection medium 106 and illuminate one or more particles received by collection medium 106, as described herein.

[0098] As described herein, in various embodiments, the particle collection function and the particle analysis function of the fluid composition sensor can occur sequentially, such that upon determining that the entire sample volume of fluid has passed through the surface of the collection medium 106, and thus the need for the particle collection function of the fluid composition sensor has been at least temporarily exhausted, the fluid composition sensor can be configured to initiate the particle analysis function. Thus, in various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor can be configured to selectively alternate between a first nozzle configuration corresponding to the particle collection function and a second nozzle configuration corresponding to the particle analysis function. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the first nozzle configuration can be configured to selectively alternate between a first nozzle configuration corresponding to the particle collection function and a second nozzle configuration corresponding to the particle analysis function. Fig.18A The exemplary nozzle configuration shown is embodied in the example of FIG. 1 and is further described in detail herein. The variable cross-sectional areas of the various segments and the minimized nozzle exit cross-sectional area of ​​the impactor nozzle 104 can be configured to increase the velocity of a volume of fluid flowing through the nozzle and induce laminar flow, such that at least a portion of a plurality of particles within the volume of fluid can be disposed within the collection medium 106 upon impact with the collection medium. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the second nozzle configuration can be configured to Fig.18D1. The exemplary nozzle configuration shown in FIG. 1 is embodied in FIG. 1 and is further described in detail herein. In the case where the particle analysis function of the fluid composition sensor can be achieved by emitting one or more light beams (e.g., divergent light beam 300) from the illumination source 116, the impactor nozzle 104 in the second nozzle configuration can avoid the generation of a reflected / scattered light beam portion caused by a portion of the divergent light beam 300 being incident on the sidewall of the impactor nozzle 104 as described herein. In order to avoid interfering with the divergent light beam 300 (e.g., interfering with the outer edge 310), at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104 can be laterally moved in a direction away from the central nozzle axis to increase the nozzle exit cross-sectional area and / or the intermediate cross-sectional area. The displacement of at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of sidewalls can widen at least a portion of the impactor nozzle 104 so as to enable the divergent light beam 300 to pass therethrough without being interfered with by one or more of the inner sidewalls 104A.

[0099] In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 can be selectively configured between a first nozzle configuration or a second nozzle configuration based at least in part on the application and / or removal of an applied force. For example, in various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor can be configured to cause the impactor nozzle 104 to alternate from the first nozzle configuration to the second nozzle configuration by applying a force in an outward direction (e.g., away from the central nozzle axis) at one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104 so as to displace at least a portion of the sidewall in the corresponding outward direction by a first sidewall displacement distance 144A. In such cases, the fluid composition sensor can be configured to cause the impactor nozzle 104 to selectively alternate from the second nozzle configuration back to the first nozzle configuration by removing the force applied in the outward direction or applying an equal force in an inward direction (e.g., in a direction opposite to the outward direction) at one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104.

[0100] Alternatively, in various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may be configured to cause the impactor nozzle 104 to alternate from the first nozzle configuration to the second nozzle configuration by removing a force applied in an inward direction (e.g., toward the central nozzle axis) at one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104 so as to displace at least a portion of the sidewall by a first sidewall displacement distance 144A in an outward direction at least substantially opposite the inward direction. In such cases, the fluid composition sensor may be configured to cause the impactor nozzle 104 to selectively alternate from the second nozzle configuration back to the first nozzle configuration by reapplying an inward force at one or more of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104 so as to retract at least a portion of the sidewall by the first sidewall displacement distance 144A in a corresponding inward direction.

[0101] Furthermore, in various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 in the second nozzle can be at least partially defined by a central nozzle axis that is reconfigured around the fluid composition sensor housing relative to the position of the central nozzle axis defined by the exemplary impactor nozzle in the first nozzle configuration. For example, the entire impactor nozzle 104 can be rotated, shifted, etc. around the housing of the fluid composition sensor to the second nozzle position such that the impactor nozzle 104 in the second nozzle configuration can avoid the generation of a reflected beam portion caused by a portion of the divergent beam 300 being incident on the impactor nozzle 104.

[0102] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19C A perspective view of an exemplary device according to various embodiments is shown. Specifically, FIG. 19A to FIG. 19C 2 shows an exemplary impactor nozzle configuration according to various embodiments described herein. In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 may include multiple nozzle components (e.g., two components, three components, five components, etc.) that may be at least partially assembled together to collectively define the impactor nozzle 104. Fig.19A As shown, the impactor nozzle 104 may include two nozzle components, namely a first nozzle component 141 and a second nozzle component 142. In various embodiments, the first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 may embody two different components of the impactor nozzle 104, which are respectively at least partially defined by corresponding elements, so that the two different components can be pieced together to jointly define the impactor nozzle 104. As shown in the figure and as described herein, the exemplary impactor nozzle 104 defined by the first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 may include a nozzle inlet, a nozzle outlet, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. Each of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle may include an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. In various embodiments, the nozzle inlet may include a nozzle inlet cross-sectional area, which is at least partially defined by the perimeter formed by each of the inner sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls at the nozzle inlet. Similarly, the nozzle outlet may include a nozzle outlet cross-sectional area, which is at least partially defined by the perimeter formed by each of the inner sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls at the nozzle outlet. In various embodiments, the impactor nozzle 104 may also include a central nozzle axis extending vertically between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. Fig.19AAs shown, the first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 can be configured so that the impactor nozzle 104 can include a first nozzle portion, a second nozzle portion, and an intermediate nozzle position positioned therebetween. The first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 can be configured so that the first nozzle portion and the second nozzle portion of the impactor nozzle 104 are configured according to various exemplary embodiments further described in detail herein. In various embodiments, the first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 can include different characteristics, such as material composition.

[0103] Fig.19B A perspective view of an exemplary first nozzle portion 141 according to various embodiments is shown. In various embodiments, the first nozzle portion 141 can include an upper portion that defines a first nozzle portion inlet and one or more first nozzle portion sidewalls. In various embodiments, the one or more first nozzle portion sidewalls can define at least a portion of a plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104. As shown, the first nozzle portion 141 includes two first nozzle portion sidewalls 141A, 141B.

[0104] Fig.19C A perspective view of an exemplary second nozzle portion 141 according to various embodiments is shown. In various embodiments, the second nozzle portion 142 may include an upper portion that defines a second nozzle portion inlet and one or more second nozzle portion sidewalls. In various embodiments, the one or more second nozzle portion sidewalls may define at least a portion of a plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104. As shown, the second nozzle portion 142 includes two second nozzle portion sidewalls 142A, 142B.

[0105] In various embodiments, as described herein, the first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 may include corresponding elements that can be pieced together to jointly define the impactor nozzle 104. For example, the upper portions of the first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 can be configured to engage with each other in a stacked configuration. The corresponding upper portions can be at least substantially aligned so as to at least partially jointly define the nozzle inlet of the impactor nozzle 104. In addition, in various embodiments, one or more side walls of both the first nozzle component 141 and the second nozzle component 142 can be configured to engage with each other so as to define multiple side walls of the impactor nozzle 104. For example, as shown, the first nozzle component 141 is engaged with the second nozzle component 142 so that the two first nozzle component side walls 141A, 141B and the two second nozzle component side walls 142A, 142B jointly define multiple side walls of the impactor nozzle 104. The two first nozzle member side walls 141A, 141B and the two second nozzle member side walls 142A, 142B may be arranged to jointly define a first nozzle portion, a second nozzle portion and a nozzle outlet.

[0106] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20B An exemplary impactor nozzle configuration according to various embodiments described herein is shown. Specifically, FIG. 20A to FIG. 20B An exemplary impactor nozzle configuration is shown in which one or more of the plurality of sidewalls can be selectively reconfigured. In various embodiments, as described herein, the exemplary impactor nozzle can be selectively reconfigured (e.g., from a first nozzle configuration to a second nozzle configuration) based at least in part on one or more environmental conditions. For example, in reference to Fig.18D In the exemplary embodiment described, the impactor nozzle 104 can be selectively reconfigured from a first nozzle configuration to a second nozzle configuration at least in part by laterally moving at least a portion of one or more of a plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle in an outward direction (e.g., away from a central nozzle axis) to increase a nozzle exit cross-sectional area and / or an intermediate cross-sectional area so as to effectively widen at least a portion of the impactor nozzle 104.

[0107] like Fig. 20A As shown, the impactor nozzle 104 can be configured so that at least a portion of each of the two first nozzle component sidewalls 141A, 141B and the two second nozzle component sidewalls 142A, 142B that together define the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104 can be independently moved relative to the central nozzle axis of the impactor nozzle 104. As shown, each of the plurality of sidewalls of the exemplary impactor nozzle 104 (e.g., the two first nozzle component sidewalls 141A, 141B and the two second nozzle component sidewalls 142A, 142B) has been laterally displaced in an outward direction.

[0108] Fig. 20BA top cross-sectional view of an exemplary impactor nozzle 104 at least partially defined by a nozzle configuration is shown, wherein each of the plurality of sidewalls has been laterally displaced in an outward direction away from the central nozzle axis 104F. Each of the plurality of sidewalls of the impactor nozzle 104 may be movable at least substantially independently of each of the other sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls. For example, as shown, the configuration of the first nozzle component sidewall 141A may define a first sidewall displacement distance 144A extending in an outward direction from the central nozzle axis 104F. Additionally, as shown, the configuration of the first nozzle component sidewall 141B may define a second sidewall displacement distance 144B extending in an outward direction from the central nozzle axis 104F. As shown, the configuration of the second nozzle component sidewall 142A may define a third sidewall displacement distance 145A extending in an outward direction from the central nozzle axis 104F. Additionally, as shown, the configuration of the second nozzle component sidewall 142B can define a fourth sidewall displacement distance 145B extending in an outward direction from the central nozzle axis 104F. In various embodiments, the sidewall displacement distances 144A, 144B, 145A, 145B can comprise the same or different distances.

[0109] Particle impact depth

[0110] As discussed herein, each particle in one or more particles of the plurality of particles 120 may include one or more particle characteristics, such as, for example, particle size, particle mass, particle density, particle velocity (e.g., particle linear velocity), particle cross-sectional area, and particle shape. In various embodiments, the particle size of the particle may be approximated based on the particle diameter. In various embodiments, the particle velocity of the particle may be approximated based at least in part on the known flow rate of the fluid moving through the device 10. In various embodiments, the particle traveling toward the collection medium 106 along the air flow direction 130 at the particle velocity may also include particle momentum, which may be at least partially affected by one or more particle characteristics. When the particle is at the receiving surface 105 of the collection medium 106, the particle may define an initial momentum. The depth (i.e., particle impact depth 121) at which the particle is subsequently embedded in the collection medium is at least partially directly related to the initial momentum of the particle. In various embodiments, the particle impact depth 121 may be related to the particle size, particle mass, and particle velocity.

[0111] like Figure 2As shown, each particle of the plurality of particles 120 within the collection medium 106 may further define both an impact depth 121 and a focus depth 122. In various embodiments, the impact depth 121 of a particle may include the distance between the receiving surface 105 of the collection medium 106 and the location where the particle stops within the collection medium 106. As described herein, a particle may travel through the receiving surface 105 at a certain speed along the air flow direction 130 and get stuck within the collection medium 106 before reaching the back side 107. The depth to which a particle is embedded in the collection medium 106 may define the impact depth 121 of the particle. The impact depth 121 of a particle may be related to at least the initial momentum of the particle at the receiving surface 105 of the collection medium that must be dissipated by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the impact depth 121 of a particle may be affected by the type of collection medium, the shape of the particle (e.g., the particle cross-sectional area, the particle orientation), the ambient temperature, and / or the ambient humidity. In various embodiments, since a larger particle cross-sectional area will disperse kinetic energy more quickly within the collection medium, thereby reducing the particle impact depth, a compensation factor may be applied to the estimated mass of the particle to account for the particle cross-sectional area, for example. In various embodiments, since both ambient temperature and ambient humidity affect the viscosity of the collection medium, and thus may increase or decrease the drag experienced by the particle from the collection medium, thereby affecting the particle impact depth, a compensation factor may be applied to the estimated mass of the particle to account for ambient temperature and / or ambient humidity. In various embodiments, ambient temperature and humidity may be measured by the device or one or more remote sensors configured to transmit temperature and humidity data to the device.

[0112] In various embodiments, the impact depth 121 of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 can be determined by the controller 200 based at least in part on the focus depth 122. In various embodiments, the impact depth 121 of the particle within the collection medium 106 can be calculated by subtracting the measured focus depth 122 of the particle from the sum of the collection medium thickness, the transparent substrate thickness, and the distance between the transparent substrate 108 and the imaging device 110. In various embodiments, the focus depth 122 of the particle can include the distance between the imaging device 110 and the location where the particle stopped within the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, as Figure 2As shown, the depth of focus 122 of a particle within the collection medium 106 may include the sum of the distance between the location where the particle stops within the collection medium 106 and the back side 107 of the collection medium 106, the thickness of the transparent substrate 108, and the distance between the transparent substrate 108 and the imaging device 110. In various embodiments, the depth of focus 122 of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 may be determined by the controller 200 using one or more image focusing techniques, such as computational techniques (e.g., angular spectrum propagation (ASP)) or mechanical techniques (e.g., optomechanical adjustment). In various embodiments, the optomechanical adjustment may include mechanical adjustments to one or more components of the lens-based imaging device 110 to optimize the particle image. In various embodiments, data corresponding to the adjustments to one or more components of the imaging device may also be collected to determine the depth of focus.

[0113] Controller

[0114] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the apparatus 10 may include a controller 200 configured to determine a particle impact depth 121 of each of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 within the collection medium 106, and to determine an approximate collective mass of the plurality of particles present within a volume of fluid based at least in part on the particle impact depth 121 of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120. Figure 3 As shown, the controller 200 may include a memory 201, a processor 202, an input / output circuit 203, a communication circuit 205, an imaging device data repository 107, a collection medium characteristic database 204, a particle imaging circuit 206, a particle type identification circuit 207, a particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208, and a fluid composition sensor configuration circuit 209. The controller 200 may be configured to perform the operations described herein. Although the components are described for functional limitations, it should be understood that a specific implementation must include the use of specific hardware. It should also be understood that certain components described herein may include similar or common hardware. For example, both sets of circuits may use the same processor, network interface, storage medium, etc. to perform their associated functions, so that each set of circuits does not require repeated hardware. Therefore, it should be understood that the use of the term "circuit" as used herein with respect to the components of the controller 200 includes specific hardware configured to perform functions associated with the specific circuits described herein.

[0115] The term "circuitry" should be broadly understood to include hardware, and in some embodiments, software for configuring hardware. For example, in some embodiments, a "circuitry" may include processing circuits, storage media, network interfaces, input / output devices, etc. In some embodiments, other elements of the controller 200 may provide or supplement the functionality of a particular circuit. For example, the processor 202 may provide processing functionality, the memory 201 may provide storage functionality, the communication circuit 205 may provide network interface functionality, etc.

[0116] In some embodiments, the processor 202 (and / or a coprocessor or any other processing circuit that assists the processor or is otherwise associated with the processor) may communicate with the memory 201 via a bus for transferring information between components of the device. The memory 201 may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. For example, the memory 201 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer-readable storage medium). In various embodiments, the memory 201 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, etc. for enabling the device to perform various functions according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that the memory 201 may be configured to store, in part or in whole, any electronic information, data, data structure, implementation, example, graphic, process, operation, technique, algorithm, instruction, system, device, method, lookup table, or computer program product described herein, or any combination thereof. As a non-limiting example, the memory 201 may be configured to store particle size data, particle type data, particle impact depth data, particle image data, particle shape data, particle cross-sectional area data, particle mass data, particle density data, and particle mass concentration data associated with a volume of fluid. In various embodiments, the memory may be further configured to store one or more particle impact depth momentum lookup tables.

[0117] The processor 202 may be embodied in a variety of different ways, and may include, for example, one or more processing devices configured to execute independently. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may include one or more processors configured in series via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and / or multithreading. The use of the term "processing circuitry" may be understood to include a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, multiple processors within a device, and / or a remote or "cloud" processor.

[0118] In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 202 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 201 or otherwise accessible to the processor. Alternatively or in addition, the processor may be configured to perform hard-coded functions. Therefore, whether configured by hardware methods or software methods, or by a combination of them, the processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuit form) that is capable of performing operations according to the embodiments of the present disclosure while being configured accordingly. Alternatively, for example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when executing the instructions.

[0119] In some embodiments, the controller 200 may include an input-output circuit 203, which may then communicate with the processor 202 to provide output to the user, and in some embodiments, receive input such as commands provided by the user. The input / output circuit 203 may include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface (GUI), and may include a display, which may include a network user interface, a GUI application, a mobile application, a client device, or any other suitable hardware or software. In some embodiments, the input-output circuit 203 may also include a display device, a display screen, a user input element (such as a touch screen), a touch area, a soft key, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a speaker (e.g., a buzzer), a light emitting device (e.g., a red light emitting diode (LED), a green LED, a blue LED, a white LED, an infrared (IR) LED, an ultraviolet (UV) LED, or a combination thereof), or other input-output mechanisms. The processor 202, the input-output circuit 203 (which may utilize a processing circuit) or both may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more user interface elements by computer executable program code instructions (e.g., software, firmware) stored in a non-transient computer readable storage medium (e.g., memory 201). Input-output circuitry 203 is optional, and in some embodiments, controller 200 may not include input-output circuitry. For example, where controller 200 does not interact directly with a user, controller 200 may generate user interface data for display by one or more other devices with which one or more users interact directly and transmit the generated user interface data to one or more of these devices. For example, controller 200 may generate user interface data for display by one or more display devices using user interface circuitry and transmit the generated user interface data to those display devices.

[0120] The communication circuit 205 may be a device or circuit embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data to a network and / or any other device, circuit, or module that communicates with the apparatus 200. For example, the communication circuit 205 may be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices via a wired (e.g., USB) or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) communication protocol.

[0121] In various embodiments, the processor 202 may be configured to communicate with the particle imaging circuit 206. The particle imaging circuit 206 may be a device or circuit embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive, process, generate, and / or transmit data, such as images captured by the imaging device 110. In various embodiments, the particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to analyze one or more images captured by the imaging device 110 of the fluid composition sensor 100 to determine which particles of the plurality of particles 120 present in the collection medium 106 were newly received by the collection medium 106 during the most recent particle analysis. The particle imaging circuit 206 may receive from the imaging device a first captured particle image and a second captured particle image captured at a first time and a second time, respectively, wherein the first time indicates that the device 10 began analyzing one or more particles of the plurality of particles 120 captured by the collection medium 106, and the second time is after the first time (occurs after the first time). In such a configuration, the device may be configured to distinguish between particles present in the collection medium 106 at the start of the particle analysis and particles newly received by the collection medium 106 by comparing the corresponding particle images captured at the first time and the second time, and identifying any particles from the second captured particle image that were not captured in the first captured particle image. In various embodiments, the particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to analyze one or more images captured by the imaging device 110 of the fluid composition sensor 100 to determine the particle size of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 in the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the particle size may be defined by the cross-sectional area of ​​the particle. In various embodiments, the particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to determine the particle size of particles having any one of a plurality of particle sizes. For example, the particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to determine the particle size of particles having a diameter between about 0.3 microns and about 100 microns (e.g., 2.5 microns), and thus determine the particle size category with which the particle can be associated, such as, for example, PM10, PM4, PM2.5, or PM1. In various embodiments, the controller and / or particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to analyze one or more images captured by the imaging device 110 of the fluid composition sensor 100 to determine the shape of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 within the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the particle shape may be at least partially defined by the particle cross-sectional area. The particle imaging circuit 206 may also be configured to determine the particle impact depth 121 of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 within the collection medium 106 using one or more image focusing techniques. The particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to execute instructions stored in, for example, the memory 201 for performing one or more image focusing techniques.In various embodiments, the one or more image focusing techniques may include one or more techniques such as angular spectrum propagation (ASP). In other embodiments, optomechanical adjustment may be used as an image focusing technique. In various embodiments, the particle imaging circuit 206 may use one or more image focusing techniques to determine the focus depth 122 of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 in the collection medium. When determining the focus depth of each of the one or more particles, the particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to calculate using known dimensions of the fluid composition sensor 100, such as the collection medium thickness and the distance between the transparent substrate 108 and the imaging device 110, the impact depth 121 of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 in the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, for example, the impact depth 121 of the particle in the collection medium 106 may be calculated by subtracting the measured focus depth 122 of the particle from the sum of the collection medium thickness, the transparent substrate thickness, and the distance between the transparent substrate 108 and the imaging device 110. The particle imaging circuit 206 may send and / or receive data from the imaging device data repository 107. In various embodiments, the particle imaging circuit 206 may be configured to use one or more machine learning techniques to determine the impact depth of the particle. In various embodiments, the one or more machine learning techniques used by the particle imaging circuit 206 to determine the impact depth of the particle may include deep supervised learning using one or more labeled data sets with one or more known particle characteristics (such as particle type, particle velocity, particle size, particle shape, and / or any other data generated, transmitted, and / or received by the controller 200) to estimate the impact depth of the particle.

[0122] In various embodiments, the processor 202 may be configured to communicate with a particle type identification circuit 207. The particle type identification circuit 207 may be a device or circuit embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to identify a particle type and / or particle class of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the plurality of particles 120 within a volume of fluid may include one or more particles of various particle types, such as one or more of bacteria, pollen, spores, mold, biological particles, soot, inorganic particles, and organic particles. In various embodiments, the particle type identification circuit 207 may use one or more machine learning techniques to determine the particle type and / or particle class of each particle in the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the one or more machine learning techniques used by the particle type identification circuit 207 to determine the particle type and / or particle class of each particle in the one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 may include analyzing images captured by the imaging device 110, particle size data, particle shape data, and / or any other data generated, transmitted, and / or received by the controller 200. In various embodiments, the particle type identification circuit 207 can send and / or receive data from the imaging device data repository 107. In addition, in various embodiments, the particle type identification circuit 207 can be configured to receive determined particle initial velocity data corresponding to one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 from the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208. In various embodiments, the particle type identification circuit 207 can be configured to compare the particle initial velocity of the determined particle with a particle velocity approximately calculated based at least in part on a known flow rate of the fluid moving through the fluid composition sensor 100, and generate velocity comparison data associated with the particle. In various embodiments, the particle type identification circuit 207 can be configured to perform a feedback loop, wherein one or more velocity comparison data associated with one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 can define one or more inputs into a machine learning model to increase a machine learning rate associated with one or more machine learning techniques, as described herein.

[0123] In various embodiments, the device 10 may be configured to have or communicate with a collection medium characteristics database 204. The collection medium characteristics database 204 may be stored at least in part on the system's memory 201. In some embodiments, the collection medium characteristics database 204 may be remote from the device 10 but integrated with the device. The collection medium characteristics database 204 may contain information, such as one or more particle impact depth-momentum relationship lookup tables. In various embodiments, the particle impact depth-momentum relationship lookup table may include a data matrix for defining the relationship between the particle impact depth and the particle initial momentum (i.e., the momentum of the particle at the receiving surface 105 of the collection medium 106, where the particle is received by the collection medium 106 at the receiving surface 105, as described herein) for a particular collection medium type. Various particle impact depth-momentum relationship lookup tables may include a data matrix for defining the relationship between the particle impact depth and the particle initial momentum for various collection medium types.

[0124] The particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be a device or circuit embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to determine the particle mass concentration within a volume of fluid. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine the particle mass concentration within the volume of fluid based on an approximate collective mass of the plurality of particles present within the volume of fluid. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine the approximate collective mass of the plurality of particles present within the volume of fluid based on the collective mass of the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine the collective mass of the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 based on a respective estimated mass of each of the particles in the plurality of particles 120. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to estimate the respective mass of each of the particles in the plurality of particles 120 based at least in part on a respective determined impact depth of each particle.

[0125] In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to estimate the mass of a particle in the plurality of particles 120 by retrieving data corresponding to the particle, such as particle size data, particle shape data (e.g., particle cross-sectional area data, particle orientation data), and particle impact depth, and determine the initial momentum of the particle before it is received by the collection medium 106 based on data in a particle impact depth-momentum lookup table that relates the particle impact depth to the initial momentum of the particle for a given type of collection medium 106. Using the known relationship between momentum, velocity, and mass (the momentum of a particle is equal to the mass of the particle multiplied by the velocity of the particle), and the known velocity of the particle (based on a control value of the air flow rate within the device 10), the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine the estimated mass of the particle.

[0126] In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to use one or more machine learning techniques to determine the estimated mass of the particle. In various embodiments, the one or more machine learning techniques used by the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 to determine the particle mass of the particle may include deep supervised learning using one or more labeled data sets with one or more known particle characteristics (such as particle type, particle velocity, particle impact depth, various particle weight measurements, and / or any other data generated, transmitted, and / or received by the controller 200) to estimate the mass of the particle. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to use one or more machine learning techniques to apply one or more compensation factors to the determined particle mass.

[0127] In addition, in various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine an estimated density of particles based at least in part on one or more of the particle impact depth, estimated particle mass, particle shape, particle type, and particle size data. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine an estimated mass and / or density of each particle in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to apply one or more compensation factors to the estimated mass of the particles to account for one or both of the particle conditions associated with the particles and the environmental conditions associated with the surrounding environment. In various embodiments, for example, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to apply appropriate compensation factors based at least in part on the particle cross-sectional area, ambient temperature, and / or ambient humidity. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine an estimated collective mass of the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium based on the estimated mass of each particle in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine the approximate collective mass of the plurality of particles present within a volume of fluid based on the determined collective mass of the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to determine the particle mass concentration within the volume of fluid based on the approximate collective mass of the plurality of particles present within the volume of fluid. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 may be configured to apply one or more scaling factors to the determined particle mass concentration within the volume of fluid to account for experimental inefficiencies, such as particle collection efficiency and detection probability factors. In various embodiments, appropriate scaling factors may be determined based on empirical data.

[0128] Additionally, the particle mass concentration calculation circuitry 208 may be configured to determine that it is necessary to replace the collection medium 106. For example, in various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuitry 208 may be configured to determine that a threshold amount of time has passed since the collection medium 106 was last replaced, the number of particles present within the collection medium 106 has exceeded a predetermined threshold number of particles, and / or the particle coverage percentage within the field of view has exceeded a threshold particle coverage percentage.

[0129] Additionally, in various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 can be configured to determine a particle initial velocity of one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 based at least in part on the determined particle mass of the particles, wherein the particle initial velocity is a velocity of the particles at the receiving surface 105 of the collection medium 106. In various embodiments, the particle mass concentration calculation circuit 208 can be configured to transmit the determined particle initial velocity data corresponding to one or more particles in the plurality of particles 120 received by the collection medium 106 to the particle type identification circuit 207.

[0130] The fluid composition sensor configuration circuit 209 can be a device or circuit embodied in any one of hardware or a combination of hardware and software, which is configured to control the selective configuration of one or more selectively configurable components of the fluid composition sensor. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor configuration circuit 209 can configure the fluid composition sensor between an open configuration and a closed configuration, as described herein. In addition, in various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor configuration circuit 209 can facilitate the automatic reconfiguration of one or more collection medium components, as described herein. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor configuration circuit 209 can selectively configure the distribution door and / or storage door of one or more collection medium component storage chambers of the fluid composition sensor between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In addition, in various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor configuration circuit 209 can be configured to selectively configure the impactor nozzle of the fluid composition sensor between a first nozzle configuration and a second nozzle configuration. For example, the fluid composition sensor configuration circuit 209 can cause the impactor nozzle to change between a first nozzle configuration corresponding to the particle collection function of the fluid composition sensor and a second nozzle configuration corresponding to the particle analysis function of the fluid composition sensor, as described herein.

[0131] In various embodiments, the device 10 may be configured to have or communicate with an imaging device data repository 107. The imaging device data repository 107 may be stored at least in part on the memory 201 of the system. In some embodiments, the imaging device data repository 107 may be remote from the device 10 but combined with the device. The imaging device data repository 107 may contain information, such as images associated with one or more potential components of the fluid. In some embodiments, the imaging device data repository 107 and / or other similar reference databases in communication with the device 10 may include non-image information for identifying particles (e.g., for fluorescent particles, a spectrometer may be used by the fluid composition sensor 100 discussed herein, and the device 10 may receive spectral information to identify particles and / or classify particles). In some embodiments, device 10 may also use machine learning to identify and / or classify particles, such that device 10 may use a reference database such as imaging device data repository 107 to initially train device 10, and then the device may be configured to identify particles and / or classify particles without reference to imaging device data repository 107 or other reference databases (e.g., the system may not actively communicate with imaging device data repository 107 during routine operation).

[0132] method

[0133] Figure 4 A block diagram is shown of an exemplary method 400 for detecting particle characteristics of a fluid, according to some embodiments discussed herein.

[0134] At box 402, one or more particles of a plurality of particles may be received by a collection medium via a volume of fluid. The plurality of particles may be received by the collection medium from a volume of fluid including the plurality of particles. In various embodiments, the plurality of particles received by the collection medium may represent a plurality of particles present in a volume of fluid. In various embodiments, the fluid composition sensor may include a collection medium and may be configured to direct at least a portion of the volume of fluid in a direction perpendicular to a receiving surface of the collection medium so that the volume of fluid may interact with the collection medium.

[0135] In addition, at box 404, an image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles received by the collection medium is captured. In various embodiments, the image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles received by the collection medium can be captured by an imaging device. In various embodiments, the imaging device can be configured to capture both the image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles present in the collection medium at the beginning of the particle analysis, and the image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles present in the collection medium at the end of the particle analysis. These images can be compared to determine which particles in the one or more particles in the plurality of particles present in the collection medium are received by the collection medium during the particle analysis. In various embodiments, the imaging device can be disposed in the fluid composition sensor adjacent to the collection medium so that one or more particles in the plurality of particles received by the collection medium are within the specified field of view of the imaging device. In various embodiments, one or more imaging techniques such as lensless holography or optical microscopy can be used to capture the image of one or more particles in the plurality of particles received by the collection medium. In various embodiments, the particle image can include holographic image reconstruction.

[0136] At box 406, the particle impact depth of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles in the collection medium is determined. The particle impact depth of the particles received by the collection medium can be defined by the depth to which the particles are embedded in the collection medium. In various embodiments, the particle impact depth of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles in the collection medium can be determined using an image captured by an imaging device. In various embodiments, the particle impact depth of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles in the collection medium can be determined based at least in part on the measured depth of focus, the distance between the imaging device and the transparent substrate, the thickness of the transparent substrate, and the thickness of the collection medium, wherein the depth of focus is the distance between the imaging device and the particle. The depth of focus of the particle can be defined as the distance between the imaging device and the particle. In various embodiments, one or more image focusing techniques such as computational techniques (e.g., angular spectrum propagation) and / or mechanical techniques (e.g., optomechanical adjustment) can be used to determine the depth of focus of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles received by the collection medium. In various embodiments, the impact depth of each particle of one or more of the plurality of particles within the collection medium can be calculated by subtracting the measured focus depth of each particle from the sum of the collection medium thickness, the transparent substrate thickness, and the distance between the transparent substrate and the imaging device.

[0137] At block 408, the approximate collective mass of a plurality of particles present in a volume of fluid is determined based at least in part on the particle impact depth of each particle in one or more of the plurality of particles. In various embodiments, the particle impact depth determined corresponding to each particle can be used to estimate the corresponding mass of each particle in the plurality of particles. In various embodiments, based on data in a particle impact depth-momentum lookup table that associates the particle impact depth of a given type of collection medium with the initial momentum of the particle, the particle impact depth and the measured particle size data can be used to determine the initial momentum of each particle before the particle is received by the collection medium. The estimated mass of each particle in the particle can be determined using the known relationship between momentum, velocity, and mass (the momentum of a particle is equal to the mass of the particle multiplied by the velocity of the particle) and the known velocity of each particle (based on a control value of the air flow rate of a volume of fluid). In various embodiments, one or more compensation factors can be applied to the estimated mass of each particle in the particle to address one or both of the particle conditions associated with the particle and the environmental conditions associated with the surrounding environment. In various embodiments, for example, appropriate compensation factors can be applied based at least in part on the particle cross-sectional area, ambient temperature, and / or ambient humidity. In various embodiments, the respective estimated mass of each particle in the plurality of particles can be used to determine the collective mass of the plurality of particles received by the collection medium. In various embodiments, the determined collective mass of the plurality of particles received by the collection medium can be used to approximate the collective mass of the plurality of particles present in a certain volume of fluid. In various embodiments, the approximate collective mass of the plurality of particles present in a certain volume of fluid can be used to estimate the mass concentration of particulate matter in the certain volume of fluid. In various embodiments, one or more proportional factors can be applied to the determined mass concentration of particulate matter in the certain volume of fluid to address experimental inefficiencies, such as particle collection efficiency and detection probability factors. In various embodiments, appropriate proportional factors can be determined based on empirical data.

[0138] At box 410, a compensation factor may be applied to the approximate collective mass of a plurality of particles present in a volume of fluid based at least in part on one or more of a particle cross-sectional area, ambient temperature, and ambient humidity. In various embodiments, a compensation factor may be applied to the estimated mass of each particle in the particles to address one or both of a particle condition associated with the particles and an ambient condition associated with the surrounding environment. In various embodiments, since a larger particle cross-sectional area will disperse kinetic energy more quickly within the collection medium, thereby reducing the particle impact depth, a compensation factor may be applied to the estimated mass of the particles, for example, to address the problem of particle cross-sectional area. In various embodiments, since both ambient temperature and ambient humidity affect the viscosity of the collection medium, thereby affecting the particle impact depth, a compensation factor may be applied to the estimated mass of the particles to address the problem of ambient temperature and / or ambient humidity. In various embodiments, ambient temperature and humidity may be measured by a device or one or more remote sensors configured to transmit temperature and humidity data to the device.

[0139] At block 412, the particle size of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles received by the collection medium may be determined. In various embodiments, the particle size of each of the one or more particles may be determined based on the captured particle image. In various embodiments, the particle size of particles having a diameter between about 0.3 microns and about 100 microns (e.g., 2.5 microns) and a particle size category such as PM10, PM4, PM2.5, or PM1 may be determined. In various embodiments, the particle size data may include particle cross-sectional area data.

[0140] At box 414, one or more machine learning techniques may be used to determine the particle type of each particle in one or more of the plurality of particles received by the collection medium. In various embodiments, the one or more machine learning techniques for determining the particle type of each particle in one or more of the plurality of particles may include analyzing captured particle images of one or more particles, particle size data, and / or any other data associated with one or more particles. In some embodiments, machine learning techniques may be used to identify particles and / or classify particles. In various embodiments, a reference imaging database including various particle data may be used to initially train a machine learning device, which may then be used to identify particles and / or classify particles without reference to the imaging database or other reference databases.

[0141] At block 416, a particle density of each of the one or more particles in the plurality of particles received by the collection medium may be determined based at least in part on a particle impact depth of each of the one or more particles. In various embodiments, the particle density of a particle may be determined based at least in part on one or more of a particle impact depth, an estimated particle mass, a particle type, and particle size data.

[0142] In various embodiments, the methods described herein may further include replacing the collection medium as described herein. In various embodiments, the collection medium may be replaced based on one or more parameters such as elapsed time, number of particles received, and / or percentage of particle coverage within the field of view.

[0143] in conclusion

[0144] Many modifications and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A device for detecting fluid particle characteristics, the device comprising: A fluid composition sensor, the fluid composition sensor being configured to receive a volume of fluid, the fluid composition sensor comprising: a housing defining an interior sensor portion and comprising a fluid inlet configured to receive the volume of fluid; an impactor nozzle disposed within the inner sensor portion and configured to receive at least a portion of the volume of fluid such that the at least a portion of the volume of fluid received by the impactor is directed in a fluid flow direction, wherein the impactor nozzle is selectively reconfigurable between a first nozzle configuration and a second nozzle configuration, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​a nozzle outlet of the impactor nozzle in the first nozzle configuration is less than a cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle outlet of the impactor nozzle in the second nozzle configuration; at least one collection medium configured to receive one or more particles of the plurality of particles within the volume of fluid, at least a portion of the at least one collection medium being disposed within the interior sensor portion, wherein each of the at least one collection medium comprises at least one orifice configured to allow at least a portion of the volume of fluid to flow therethrough; and an imaging device configured to capture an image of at least a portion of the one or more particles of the plurality of particles received by the at least one collection medium; and wherein the housing is selectively configurable between a first housing configuration and a second housing configuration, wherein the first housing configuration enables reconfiguration of the at least one collection medium, and wherein the second housing configuration provides a secure seal to isolate the at least a portion of the at least one collection medium disposed within the interior sensor portion from a volume of an ambient fluid, wherein the direction of fluid flow is at least substantially toward the at least a portion of the at least one collection medium disposed within the interior sensor portion; and Wherein when the fluid composition sensor is configured in the second housing configuration, at least substantially all of the at least a portion of the volume of fluid received by the impactor nozzle flows through the at least one orifice of the at least one collection medium disposed within the interior portion of the housing. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one collection medium comprises a plurality of collection mediums, each of the plurality of collection mediums being configured to be disposed serially within the interior sensor portion.

3. The device according to claim 2 further includes a first collection medium assembly storage chamber, which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the multiple collection media, and the first collection medium assembly storage chamber is positioned close to the shell so that the shell is configured to receive at least a portion of the multiple collection media from the first collection medium assembly storage chamber.

4. The device according to claim 2 further includes a second collection medium assembly storage chamber, which is positioned close to the housing so that the housing is configured to transfer at least a portion of the multiple collection media to the second collection medium assembly storage chamber, and the second collection medium assembly storage chamber is configured to receive at least a portion of the multiple collection media from the internal sensor portion of the housing.

5. A method for detecting a particle property of a fluid by using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4.

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