Air quality monitoring for research and field studies
Air quality research often requires measurements across multiple locations, pollutants and time scales.
Aernode provides configurable, distributed monitoring for field campaigns, environmental studies and long-term observation, generating continuous time-series data that can be compared across locations and integrated into academic or institutional data workflows.
More locations, longer studies, higher-frequency data
Reference-grade instrumentation remains essential where regulatory or high-accuracy measurements are required, but its acquisition, infrastructure and operating costs can limit the number of measurement points and the duration of field campaigns. Aernode provides a more accessible monitoring platform for research programmes that require greater spatial coverage and continuous, high-frequency environmental data.
Multiple monitoring nodes can be deployed simultaneously and operated over extended periods, making it possible to investigate spatial variability, short-term dynamics, recurring patterns and longer-term trends that may be difficult to characterise with sparse or short-duration measurements alone. Aernode can also be used alongside reference instruments, co-location datasets and meteorological measurements as part of broader research and validation strategies.
Extend the spatial and temporal reach of air quality research
A more accessible monitoring platform makes it possible to deploy more measurement points, collect high-frequency data and sustain longer field studies within the practical constraints of research programmes and project budgets.
Increase spatial coverage
Lower deployment and operating costs make multi-node studies more practical, allowing researchers to observe differences between locations and investigate spatial variability beyond what a small number of high-cost instruments may capture.
Capture high-frequency dynamics
Continuous measurements at short acquisition intervals provide detailed time-series data for examining rapid variations, recurring patterns and short-duration events that may be missed by sparse or intermittent sampling approaches.
Extend field campaign duration
Accessible total cost of ownership enables monitoring to continue over longer periods, supporting the study of seasonal variability, recurring conditions and longer-term trends rather than limiting observation to short campaign windows.
Adapt the network to the study
Project-specific sensor configurations and distributed deployment allow researchers to select relevant parameters, compare multiple environments and adapt the monitoring architecture to different field-study objectives.
Complement reference instrumentation
Aernode can be deployed alongside reference instruments for co-location, comparison and validation strategies, combining reference measurements at selected locations with broader distributed coverage across the study area.
A monitoring network designed around the research question
Each deployment is configured around the parameters, spatial coverage, temporal resolution and comparison strategy required by the study, from compact field campaigns to larger distributed networks operating continuously over extended observation periods.
Define the research design
Identify the environmental variables, spatial comparisons, observation period and temporal resolution required by the study, together with any reference measurements or external datasets that will form part of the research methodology.
Configure and position the network
Select project-specific sensor configurations and distribute monitoring nodes across representative locations. Where required, selected units can be co-located with reference instrumentation to support comparison, calibration or validation strategies.
Build the research data workflow
Organise continuous high-frequency measurements together with meteorological data, reference datasets and other study inputs, creating a structured time-series dataset for comparison, analysis and integration into the wider research workflow.
Build the sensor configuration around the research question
| Parameter | How it can support air quality research |
|---|---|
|
PM₂.₅ / PM₁₀
Particulate matter
|
Continuous particulate measurements support the study of spatial variability, temporal patterns, episodic changes and differences between environments. Distributed nodes can provide additional measurement density across a study area while maintaining consistent time-series coverage. |
|
NO₂
Nitrogen dioxide
|
Nitrogen dioxide is relevant to research on combustion sources, traffic, urban environments and local air quality variability. Continuous measurements allow researchers to compare locations and examine how concentrations evolve over short and extended observation periods. |
|
O₃
Ozone
|
Ozone monitoring can support studies of atmospheric chemistry, diurnal and seasonal behaviour, meteorological influences and spatial differences between urban, peri-urban and other environments when interpreted within the wider study design. |
|
CO
Carbon monoxide
|
Carbon monoxide can provide an additional combustion-related variable for studies involving traffic, fuel combustion and other local sources. Multi-parameter monitoring allows CO trends to be examined alongside other pollutants and meteorological conditions. |
|
NH₃ / H₂S / SO₂
Specialty gases
|
Project-specific sensor configurations can extend monitoring to gases relevant to agricultural, industrial, waste, wastewater or other specialised research. This allows the measurement platform to be adapted to different experimental questions rather than relying on a fixed pollutant configuration. |
|
Meteo
Meteorological parameters
|
Wind, temperature, humidity and other meteorological variables provide essential explanatory context for environmental measurements and allow pollutant time series to be examined alongside atmospheric and site conditions. |
Monitoring configurations are project-specific; particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, VOC indicators, meteorological variables and other compatible parameters can be combined according to the research objectives, study design and required deployment strategy.
Explore the Aernode Components
Aernode Monitors
Configurable outdoor stations for continuous measurement of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants and environmental conditions across distributed monitoring networks.
- Site-specific pollutant configurations
- Continuous outdoor data acquisition
- Designed for single-site and multi-node networks
Aernode Cloud
A central environment for device supervision, data storage, post-processing and secure access to current and historical monitoring information.
- Remote network and device management
- Historical records and data continuity
- Authenticated integration through APIs
Sensor Kits
Preconfigured sensing assemblies that simplify pollutant selection, field servicing and configuration updates throughout the operating life of the network.
- Modular pollutant combinations
- Efficient field replacement
- Configuration tailored to project requirements
Reporting Tools
Digital environments for current conditions, historical analysis, automated outputs and communication with internal teams or external stakeholders.
- Real-time and historical dashboards
- Threshold alerts and scheduled reports
- Private and stakeholder-facing environments
Accessories
Power, meteorological, mounting and connectivity options for fixed-site, perimeter and off-grid monitoring configurations.
- Weather stations and anemometers
- Solar power and autonomous deployment options
- Mounting and connectivity accessories
Frequently asked
questions
Practical answers on research deployments, co-location, validation, sensor configuration and flexible data workflows for air quality field studies.
Can Aernode be used as a single research station as well as a distributed monitoring network?
Yes. Aernode can be deployed as a single monitoring station or as part of a multi-node network, depending on the research objective.
A single station may be appropriate for a co-location study, long-term observation at one site, instrument comparison, pilot project or monitoring of a specific environment. Where the study focuses on spatial variability, source gradients or comparisons between locations, additional nodes can be deployed as a distributed network.
The monitoring architecture should therefore follow the research question rather than assume that every project requires multiple stations.
What types of air quality research can benefit from Aernode monitoring?
Aernode can support research requiring continuous environmental measurements across one or more locations and over different observation periods.
Typical applications include urban and traffic-related studies, source-oriented monitoring, industrial or agricultural environments, intervention studies, instrument comparison and co-location campaigns, and long-term environmental observation.
For multi-site studies, additional monitoring nodes can increase spatial resolution; for other projects, one carefully selected measurement point may provide the data needed to address the research objective.
Why use Aernode monitors alongside reference-grade instruments?
Reference instrumentation remains essential where a study requires the highest measurement accuracy or formal reference methods. Aernode provides a complementary measurement layer that can make continuous observations, additional measurement points or longer field deployments practical within project constraints.
A single Aernode station can be co-located with reference instrumentation for comparison and validation. In larger studies, selected Aernode units can be co-located while additional nodes extend measurements to other locations.
This hybrid approach can combine the measurement quality of reference instrumentation with the spatial or operational flexibility of additional field monitors.
Can Aernode data be used in scientific studies and peer-reviewed publications?
Yes, provided the data are fit for the specific research question and the study clearly documents its measurement methodology.
Researchers should define appropriate QA/QC procedures, calibration and correction methods, siting criteria, data exclusions, metadata and uncertainty assessment according to the objectives of the study.
How should Aernode monitors be calibrated and validated for a research campaign?
Aernode stations use manufacturer calibration information together with second-level laboratory calibration, but research projects may require additional study-specific validation.
Where suitable reference data are available, co-location before deployment can be used to assess field performance and establish correction relationships. For longer studies, repeat or end-of-campaign co-location can also help identify drift or changes in sensor behaviour.
Calibration and validation should, whenever practical, cover environmental conditions and concentration ranges representative of the intended field campaign.
How should researchers choose the number and location of monitoring stations?
Start from the research question rather than from a predefined number of nodes or a fixed coverage radius.
A study may require only one carefully selected station, for example for long-term observation, co-location or monitoring of a specific site. Other studies may require multiple locations to investigate spatial variability, pollutant gradients or differences between background and source-oriented environments.
Network design should consider the spatial scale of interest, expected gradients, meteorology, site access, reference or co-location points and the comparisons required by the analysis.
Can the pollutant configuration be adapted to a specific research question?
Yes. Aernode Sensor Kits allow the monitoring configuration to be selected around the study objective rather than using a fixed pollutant package.
Depending on the project, the configuration can include particulate matter, NO₂, O₃, CO, CO₂, T.VOC Index and application-specific gases such as NH₃, H₂S or SO₂, together with meteorological parameters.
Sensor selection should consider expected concentration ranges, sensitivity, cross-sensitivities, environmental conditions, operating life and the planned calibration and validation strategy.
Can Aernode be used with or without recurring Cloud services?
Yes. Aernode can be purchased as monitoring hardware and used with Aernode Cloud services for projects that require centralised data management, remote access and integration, but the station does not have to depend on a recurring Cloud subscription throughout its operating life.
With Aernode Cloud, researchers can access and export both raw and adjusted measurement data, manage historical datasets and use authenticated REST API access to integrate measurements into external research environments. Reporting Tools can provide additional analysis and project-specific outputs.
For projects that require an independent local architecture, measurement data can also be made available locally, including through Modbus RTU, allowing the station to remain operational and feed a local data-management or acquisition system without an ongoing Aernode Cloud subscription.
This flexibility is particularly useful for grant-funded or fixed-duration research projects, where equipment may be purchased within the project budget while recurring service expenditure is limited to the active project period.
Where high-frequency historical data are required for extended studies using Aernode Cloud, the data-retention and export strategy should be defined at project setup so that the required temporal resolution is preserved.
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Explore technical resources
Build an air quality monitoring network around your research question
Define the right parameters, number of monitoring points, spatial distribution, acquisition frequency and data workflow to extend measurement coverage, support longer field studies and integrate continuous environmental data into your research programme.