Advanced technology for quantitative
assessment of airborne spores
U.S. and international patents pending
Principle of Operation
The ionic spore trap captures airborne
particulate matter by first ionizing the air
and particles in a high voltage field and
then forcibly trapping the particles on a
capture medium.
 The medium may be a scanning
electron microscope stub, transparent
tape for light microscope observations,
or a membrane for RT-PCR analyses.
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U.S. and international patents pending
Engineering Rendering and
Actual Spore Traps
U.S. and international patents pending
User Interface
(prototype)
In this example, the user programmed the device to operate Monday through
Friday for 5 minutes beginning at 4 AM and again for 10 minutes beginning at
7 AM. Note that the interface provides temperature and humidity readouts as
well as battery life and ejection door status. Environmental variables can be
logged and downloaded.
U.S. and international patents pending
Advantages of
Ionic Spore Trap
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Precise control of time and duration of operation.
Programmable with menu-driven user interface.
Very high and programmable air volumes.
Very high capture efficiency.
Very flexible with regard to collection media.
Use of SEM allows for precise identification and
documentation.
Can be used to assess spore germination.
Ability to log and download environmental variables.
Very low current draw allows for extended
unattended operation.
Ideal as an early warning device.
U.S. and international patents pending
Comparison of Standard Impact Trap and
Ionic Spore Trap
Ionic Spore Trap
Phakopsora pachyrhizi from
Ionic Spore Trap
Impact Trap
Phakopsora pachyrhizi from
standard impact trap with
clock-driven adhesive tape.
U.S. and international patents pending
Comparison of Adhesive Tape Mount
and an Ionic Spore Trap Stub
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Ionic Spore Trap stub viewed
with SEM
Calvatia sp.
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Adhesive tape mount viewed
with light microscope
Calvatia sp.
U.S. and international patents pending
Use of Ionic Spore Trap to Assess
Spore Germination
Low magnification.
High magnification
Collection stub was covered with a membrane filter, the trap was run for a
few hours in the field, and then the stub was misted with sterile water. The
membrane-covered stub was then incubated for several hours in a moist
chamber and then viewed with a SEM. A light microscope also could be
used if the membrane is stained.
U.S. and international patents pending