A wristwatch-sized air-quality monitor that tells you whether the air you’re
breathing is putting your health at risk has been developed by Da-Ren Chen at
Washington University in St Louis, Missouri. The monitor continually takes air
samples and subjects them to an electric field. Any particles in the air move in
the field, and the smaller they are the faster they move. The monitor is set to
detect the level of particles less than 2.5 micrometres across—the size
liable to irritate the airways. If the level exceeds safety limits, a warning
light on the monitor flashes.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
2
Sperm have been made magnetic to allow IVF inside the body
3
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
4
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
5
Autism may have two distinct subtypes that vary by brain activity
6
Arctic Ocean reaches tipping point that could be dire for marine life
7
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
8
How I used psychology to come back from the worst year of my life
9
Walking shark found in Papua New Guinea is new to science
10
We may have finally solved cosmology's chicken-or-the-egg problem
