AQMesh continues to demonstrate best in class accuracy against US EPA targets

Data collected as part of the UKRI SPF Clean Air Program has proven that AQMesh out-of-the-box performance for PM2.5 exceeds new US EPA targets*, with excellent results for PM1 and PM10 as well.

AQMesh prides itself on its accuracy and has always backed up its claims by publishing performance data online, making it easy for users to see real results, from real trials, in real world conditions. Since the product was first commercially launched in 2012, after being developed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, it has been out in the field continually in numerous trials. Data from these extensive global co-location comparison trials against certified reference equipment / field equivalent methods have continued to be made publicly available, as well as being used to drive product development and performance improvement.

The most recent advancement has been the launch of the latest gas processing algorithm, V5.3. Now the current production standard, and available as a free remote upgrade for existing users, the new algorithm has been developed from over 140 co-location datasets across four continents using a wide range of extreme environments and conditions over extensive time periods. Its benefits include improved out-of-the-box accuracy, particularly at the extremes of the temperature range, reducing the requirements for seasonal scaling.

Combined with improvements in small sensor technology, AQMesh processing algorithms are carefully developed from real world datasets and understanding how sensors respond in varying conditions. All AQMesh algorithms are fully traceable, fixed by version number and have been achieved with no use of machine learning or artificial intelligence. This means no training period is required and co-location with reference is not a necessity unless validation of data is required. These features, along with unique out-of-the-box accuracy, allows quick access to reliable data after installation, enables flexibility in monitoring locations without access to reference and ensures the pods can be moved between locations efficiently to make the most of the time available.

In addition to continual improvement of sensor performance, the team at AQMesh is always looking to add new hardware options to the pods to offer even more flexibility and users can now benefit from TVOC monitoring. The new electrochemical TVOC sensor is one of eight available sensors in the suite of gas options on offer. It can be specified within a single AQMesh pod alongside five other gases out of NO, NO2, O3, CO, SO2 or H2S, as well as an additional NDIR CO2 sensor, and PM1, PM2.5, PM4, & PM10 via an optical particle counter. Wind speed & direction and noise monitoring are also available, with humidity, pressure and pod temperature included as standard.

These new results for PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 are the latest example of the product’s high performance, with AQMesh previously been recognised as the most accurate multi-parameter small sensor system for outdoor air quality monitoring in the 2019 AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge. It was also the system used by the Environmental Defense Fund to develop a blueprint for hyperlocal air quality monitoring following the successful 3 year Breathe London pilot.

All AQMesh co-location comparison results can be viewed on the AQMesh website, alongside numerous independent and academic studies which verify AQMesh as a high-performing small sensor air quality monitoring system.

^{*As published in the Air Sensor Toolbox on the EPA website 2021}