Indoor Bioaerosol Tracer Monitoring for Pathogen Risk Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack effective methods for characterizing and monitoring bioaerosol presence and movement in indoor environments, particularly for predicting pathogen transmission risks and optimizing environmental controls.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving the controlled release of tracer particles, such as salt or genetic material, into an environment, followed by air sampling and data analysis to derive aerosol flow metrics and pathogen risk profiles, using sensors to track tracer signals and generate alerts when risk thresholds are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional air quality monitoring is used, then basic pollution detection is possible, but bioaerosol-specific pathogen transmission risk characterization is not achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tracer particles as intermediary substances that mimic bioaerosol behavior. These tracers are released into the environment and tracked through sensors to infer pathogen transmission risks without directly detecting pathogens, thereby achieving precise bioaerosol characterization while managing system complexity through indirect measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of bioaerosol behavior using tracer particles. By releasing tracers with known characteristics and monitoring their movement patterns, the system copies and replicates the physical behavior of bioaerosols, enabling precise measurement of transmission dynamics without the complexity of direct pathogen detection
2Reliability
If comprehensive environmental controls are implemented, then indoor air quality improves, but transmission risk prediction accuracy decreases due to lack of bioaerosol-specific data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where tracer particle data is continuously collected and used to update transmission risk predictions. Sensors monitor tracer movement, and this information feeds back into the risk assessment model, allowing for dynamic adjustment of predictions based on real-time aerosol behavior observations, thereby improving reliability while reducing information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by releasing tracers before actual pathogen transmission events. This allows the system to pre-characterize aerosol behavior patterns and establish baseline transmission dynamics, providing advance information that improves the accuracy of subsequent transmission risk predictions
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and tracers are deployed, then aerosol behavior characterization improves, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex aerosol characterization task into distinct components: multiple tracer types with different properties, distributed sensor locations, and separate analysis modules. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision by independently optimizing each component while managing operational complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages operational complexity by dynamically adjusting tracer release parameters and sensor configuration based on environmental conditions. By changing parameters such as tracer concentration, release rate, and sensor sensitivity levels, the system maintains ease of operation while preserving high measurement precision across varying operational scenarios
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise characterization of aerosol behavior and pathogen risk, allowing for targeted adjustments to environmental controls to reduce transmission risks and optimize indoor air quality.
Implementation Method 1
triggering release of a first tracer test load into ambient air in the aerosol zone, the first tracer test load including a first concentration of tracers of a first type in solution
Implementation Method 2
recording a first timeseries of aerosol data via a first set of sensors integrated into a first air sampler, the first timeseries of aerosol data representing amounts of aerosolized particles in ambient air ingested by the first air sampler
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of a method includes, during a test period: triggering release of a tracer test load into air in an environment, according to a set of release parameters, by a dispenser arranged within the environment, the first tracer test load comprising a first concentration of tracers of a first type in solution; and triggering an air sampler, located in the environment, to record a timeseries of aerosol data representing amounts of aerosol particles detected at the air sampler during the test period. The method further includes: deriving a tracer signal, representing changes in amounts of tracers in air detected at the air sampler during the test period, based on the timeseries of aerosol data and the set of release parameters; based on characteristics of the tracer signal, characterizing a set of aerosol flow metrics representing behavior of aerosols in the environment during the test period.