Leiden University, RIVM, KNMI and a number of astronomy institutes have set up a project for the measurement of particulate matter in the air. The so-called Ispex-project works with volunteers who take the measurements on their smartphone.
With a special add-on can a smartphone be turned into a measurement device for particulate matter. The device must be on the camera of the device is to be placed. In combination with an app can be data on ambient air quality are laid down. Somewhere in the spring, a day’s measurement is organised by volunteers, the measurements will perform with their smartphone. Interested parties can now register for the project. There are now more than ten thousand opzetstukjes produced, per piece 2,50 euro costs.
There is a demonstration video created that explains how the technology works. Using the special add-on is the scattering of the light spectrum measured by particulate matter can the spectrum of the sunlight, namely change. Also the polarization of the light by particulate matter change, something that is also being registered. By a number of measurements to be taken under different angles can information be gathered about the fijnstofniveau in the air. This is, however, a blue sky is necessary.
In addition to the amount of particulate matter is also the size of the particulate matter determined, just like the material it consists of. Finally, there must be a national map to be created in which the fijnstofgegevens be placed. In addition to that, this provides information on possible health risks is the data useful for the aviation industry, which is suffering from the dense clouds of dust in the air.