Modelling and Simulation of a portable, size- discriminating Capacitive Particulate Matter sensor

Air pollution causes premature deaths and increased infant mortality. [1] Particulate Matter smaller than 2.5µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) exposure has been found to be the cause of airway inflammation and other adverse effects. [2] , [3] Recent studies have shown that vehicular emissions are even more harmful for children on the roadside. [4] In fact, personal exposure has been found to be dependent on routes taken and transport modes. [5] Hence, air pollution mitigation strategies must be adapted in each location based on the emission sources. [6] A study in Brazil has estimated 400 – 1700 premature deaths to have been prevented by reducing deforestation, an important source of PM2.5. [7] This approach requires the use of portable sensors to provide high resolution data than obtained in stationary stations. However, smaller sensors are less accurate than the bulky static detectors. [8] Most commercially available portable PM sensors are based on light. But there has been problems with unit to unit deviation and inaccurate measurements. [9] Hence there is a need for portable, yet accurate PM sensors suitable for personal exposure monitoring.