Black Carbon Experiment Package

On April 24, 2013 2B Tech launched the Black Carbon Package for measurements of black carbon by students and citizen scientists. The Black Carbon Package consists of a Black Carbon Station, which samples particles onto a quartz fiber filter at a selected flow rate, and a black Black Carbon Photometer for quantifying black carbon deposited on filters. The Photometer measures absorbance at 880 nm, the same wavelength used by more expensive instruments, and provides a highly accurate measurement of black carbon. The Black Carbon Experiment is part of the GO3 Project, a K-12 educational outreach program founded and supported by 2B Technologies. Students around the world also measure ozone in the Global Ozone Project and CO₂ in the CO₂ Experiment.

AtmoChem.com Established as a Meeting Place for Atmospheric Chemists

On October 15, 2012 we established the AtmoChem.com website. This is a place where scientists studying air pollution, ozone depletion and global climate change may share ideas, discuss recent experimental results, develop collaborations, post seminar and conference annoucements, etc. Please check out the site and considering joining in the discussion.

2B Buzz Newsletter Launched

The first 2B Tech Newsletter, the 2B Buzz, was launched as the Summer issue in July 2012. The goal of this quarterly newsletter is to inform our customers of new developments in air pollution monitoring. Each issue contains a Case Study describing how 2B Tech instruments are being used in novel applications by our customers. 2B Buzz issues also include Monitoring Tips, Air Pollution News, Featured Products, and other information useful to our customers. Past issues may be accessed and downloaded here.

New Firmware Option for Eddy Covariance Flux Measurements Using the Model 205 Dual Beam Ozone Monitor

As of July 2012, optional firmware is available for making 10 Hz ozone measurements using the Model 205 Dual Beam Ozone Monitor. The method provides 10 sequential measurements over 0.1 s intervals once every 5 seconds (20% duty cycle). Cross correlation with wind speed measurements made by a sonic anemometer allows the ozone flux to be determined. The method is highly portable in comparison to the usual method of chemiluminescence, doesn't require a reagent gas, and has the UV absorbance advantage of absolute calibration. If you want to use this new option to measure ozone fluxes, contact us at: sales@twobtech.com

Model 211 Scrubberless Ozone Monitor: The World's Most Accurate Ozone Monitor

The new Model 211 Scrubberless Ozone Monitor, introduced in June 2012, uses the proven ultraviolet (UV) absorption method in combination with an innovative gas-phase scrubber technology to measure ozone free from all interferences. In the reference mode, the instrument uses the reaction between ozone and nitric oxide (NO) to selectively remove ozone from the sample. The instrument is ideally suited for measurements of ozone in heavily polluted air where interference is likely from particulates, mercury, or VOCs. The new Model 211 combines the stability of our proven dual beam ozone monitors with our selective scrubber technology to provide accurate ozone measurements in the most polluted air. A U.S. Patent for this new and innovative technology has been approved and will be issued soon. For more details see: Model 211

Personal Ozone Monitor (POM)

2B Tech has taken the next step in miniaturization of UV-based ozone monitors by developing the Personal Ozone Monitor or "POM". The POM, introduced in June 2012, has dimensions of 4 x 3 x 1.5 inches and weighs only 0.75 lb (340 g). It has a built in GPS so that ozone measurements may be logged continuously along with geographic location. By folding the optical path in the shape of a "U", it was possible to achieve the same path length in the POM as in the Models 202, 205 and 106-L and thus have similar precision and accuracy (~2 ppb). For more details see: POM

Flow Through Ozone Monitor

As of August 1, 2011, the Models 106-L and 106-M Ozone Monitors are available in a "Flow Through" configuration. This optional configuration allows the sampled air stream to continuously pass through the instrument so that the ozone concentration is not perturbed by the measurement and the ozone can still be used in the process being monitored. The Flow Through ozone monitors are simply placed inline with the experiment or process. Ozone-scrubbed air for the reference measurement is produced from ambient air using an internal air pump and ozone scrubber. For more details see: Flow-Through Ozone Monitor

Model 205 Ozone Monitor Approved as a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) by the EPA

On November 30, 2010, the Model 205 Ozone Monitor was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) based on a modification of the Model 202, which was earlier designated as a FEM. The Model 205 is a dual beam derivative of the Model 202 and may be thought of as two Model 202 Ozone Monitors operating in tandem. The Model 205 has improved precision and baseline stability compared to the Model 202 and can make a new, independent measurement of ozoneonce every 2 seconds. The Model 205 was originally designed for aircraft or other ozone measurements that require high temporal resolution. For more details see: Model 205

NEMA Enclosure for Models 106-L, 106-M and 106-H Ozone Monitors

As of November 1, 2010, all Model 106 Ozone Monitors are available in wall-mountable NEMA enclosures for applications where exposure to dust or water are a concern. Power and signal connections are made to the bottom of the enclosure either directly or via optional water-proof feedthroughs. The instrument is mounted on a swinging plate behind the large-windowed door, making access for maintenance extremely easy. The Model 106-L, -M and -H continue to be available in a standard enclosure and also may be purchased as an OEM product with no enclosure. For more details see: Model 106

New Display and Graphing Software for all 2B Tech Instruments

On September 22, 2010, 2B Tech released new software for interfacing all of our instruments with personal computers. Terminal emulators such as Hyperterminal or Terra Term Pro are no longer required when using the new 2B Tech software. The software allows continuous display of data in text and graphical formats with either selected scaling or auto scaling and includes zoom and scroll through features. Data may be saved as text files or as Excel files for offline analysis. The software may be used with all 2B Tech instruments, including those manufatured in the past. It is available free to our customers and may be downloaded at www.twobtech.com/software.htm.

Model 202 Ozone Monitor Certified as a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) by the EPA

Designation of the Model 202 Ozone Monitor as a Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) was published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2010. As a designated FEM, the Model 202 Ozone Monitor may be used by states and other monitoring agencies under 40 CFR Part 58, Ambient Air Quality Surveillance, for monitoring for compliance with the Clean Air Act. The Model 202 is our most popular and widely used ozone monitor. For more details see: Model 202

GO3 Project Instrument Package

The GO3 Instrument Package provides everything needed for continuous measurements of ozone and meteorological parameters and the capability to upload data to the GO3 database where measurements are displayed on an overlay in Google Earth. Measured parameters include ozone, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction and rainfall. The package includes the GO3 Ozone Monitor with a silent, long-life pump, Davis weather station, weather station mounting stand, notebook computer with data collection and uploading software installed, 50 feet of Teflon-lined Tygon inlet tubing, external ozone zeroing cartridge, external battery and charger for personal ozone monitoring, filter holder and pack of 10 Teflon particle filters, associated cables and power packs, and operating manuals. More details are provided here.

Global Ozone (GO3) Project

2B Technologies sponsors the GO3 Project as an outreach project for high school students around the globe. In this project students construct an ozone monitor from a kit, continuously measure ground-level ozone outside their schools and upload their data to an overlay in Google Earth. Students discuss their results with other students, teachers and scientists on the GO3 Social Network. 2B Tech contributes ozone monitoring stations for many of the schools and a full time Outreach Coordinator for the project. 2B Tech is currently seeking additional sponsorship through corporations and government grants. See: go3project.com

Model 410 Nitric Oxide Monitor

The Model 410 NO Monitor was launched as our newest product on 4 January 2010. The Model 410 has improved precision and baseline stability in comparison to our popular Model 400 NO Monitor. The Model 410 incorporates a heated ozone scrubber that quantitatively passes NO so that internal measurement and correction for ambient ozone is not necessary. This results in improved performance at the expense of a slightly larger size and higher power consumption. The Model 410 may be used in combination with the Model 401 NO₂ Converter to measure NO_x and NO₂ in addition to NO. More details are provided here.

Model 106 Series for Industrial Ozone Applications

The Model 106 was launched on 10 June 2009. This new instrument makes use of the "Ozone Monitor on a Board™" technology released earlier as an OEM product (see below). One of three different optical benches may be chosen for different ranges of ozone concentration. The Model 106-L has specifications similar to that of our popular Model 202 for low ppb level measurements. The Model 106-M is best suited for the range 0-1000 ppm for monitoring ozone levels in industrial applications such as fruit and vegetable warehouses, water treatment, soil remediation, sterilization, etc. The Model 106-H is designed for measurements of ozone at percent levels in-line with a high concentration (up to 20 wt%) ozonizer. More details are provided here.

Ozone Monitor on a Board™

The Model OEM-106 was launched on 15 January 2009. This complete ozone monitoring instrument, based on the absolute method of UV absorbance, has a footprint of only 8 x 10 inches and depth of 2.5 inches.  This OEM instrument was designed for low cost of construction, thereby reducing the retail price, while maintaining excellent accuracy and precision.  One of three interchangeable optical benches may be chosen for measurements of ozone ranging from the low ppb to the per cent level. More details are provided here.