Airborne particle counter without display WIBS-5

fluorescence

Overview

• The WIBS-5 is a real-time, single-particle wideband integrated bioaerosol sensor for atmospheric measurement of bacteria, molds, pollen and other bioaerosols. It measures fluorescence to infer the presence of biological material and provides particle-by-particle data on size, asymmetry and fluorescence to support classification of pollen, bacteria and fungi.

Features and benefits

• High sensitivity: Detect trace concentrations of mold and other fluorescent bioaerosols in ambient air.
• Optimized detection: Two excitation wavelengths (280 nm, 370 nm) and two emission bands enable targeted detection of tryptophan, NADH and related fluorophores.
• Particle-by-particle output: Individual particle data from 0.5 to 30 µm, including time-of-flight for coincidence detection; configurable for larger particles such as pollen and fungal spores.
• Advanced filtering: Apply filters on size, asymmetry, concentration, excitation/emission bands or parameter ratios for tailored data selection.
• Instrument monitoring: Real-time particle display and housekeeping parameters support instrument health monitoring and maximize operational availability.
• Flexible deployment: Suitable for ground-based or airborne research applications.
• Lifecycle Care Program: Optional program available to maintain WIBS-5 performance for the research mission (terms provided by manufacturer).

Technology

• Particle light-scattering combined with fluorescence detection.
• Flashlamp excitation at 280 nm and 370 nm.
• Forward-scattered light from a 635 nm diode laser determines particle size and asphericity.
• Two fluorescence emission bands produce an excitation–emission matrix sensitive to common fluorophores such as tryptophan and NADH.

Main applications

• Cloud physics research
• Human health studies
• Pollution characterization

WIBS-5 Software

• Standard GUI: Real-time particle display and housekeeping parameters for instrument health monitoring.
• WIBS Data Analysis Toolkit: Load, process and inspect WIBS-5/NEO particle-by-particle raw data; convert to time-resolved concentrations and size distributions; basic plotting capabilities.

Technical information
Maximum concentration: 466 particles/cm3 for fluorescent particle counting (10% coincidence); 9,500 particles/cm3 for sizing and counting (10% coincidence).
Fluorescence excitation: 280 nm, 370 nm.
Fluorescence emission: 310–400 nm, 420–650 nm.
Flow rate (sample): 0.3 L/min.
Particle size range: 0.5 to 30 µm.
Sheath flow: 2.1 L/min.
Power requirements: 100 W; supports 90–230 VAC or 24 VDC at 3.0 A.
Weight: 27.5 lbs.
Dimensions: 17.75" W x 14.25" L x 9.5" H (add 2" for inlet at top).

Technical specifications

• Measurement principle: Particle light-scattering (635 nm diode laser) and fluorescence (280 nm and 370 nm excitation; two emission bands).
• Particle sizing/classification: 0.5–30 µm range; time-of-flight for coincidence detection; asphericity metric.
• Concentration limits: Up to 9,500 particles/cm3 for sizing/counting; 466 particles/cm3 for fluorescent particle counting (10% coincidence criteria).
• Flow rates: Sample 0.3 L/min; sheath 2.1 L/min.
• Power: 100 W; supports 90–230 VAC or 24 VDC at 3.0 A.
• Physical: Weight 27.5 lbs; footprint 17.75" W x 14.25" L x 9.5" H (plus 2" inlet).
• Software: Standard GUI and WIBS Data Analysis Toolkit for loading, processing and plotting particle-by-particle data.