Aerosol Analyzer
Principal Investigator Andrew Ault of LSA Chemistry sought to modernize the QCM Cascade Impactor, an Air Particle Analyzer used to measure aerosol concentrations. The original instrument was a decades-old analog system that presented significant limitations: it offered no flexible control over sampling parameters, provided no real-time feedback during operation, and outputted data solely on printed receipt tape. To address these issues, the development team engineered a complete digital overhaul. By integrating Digital IO cards and relays with a custom LabVIEW application, the team replaced the obsolete controller with a system that enables precise instrument control, real-time frequency monitoring, and the generation of electronic results for easy analysis.