At National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, based at Worcester University, we have dedicated testing facilities for a variety of uses. A world-leading feature of our facility is a specially designed and constructed environmental testing chamber – a climate controlled room.
This room is capable of recreating most climate types and environmental conditions worldwide.
Environmental controls
Our environmental testing suite has been designed for a number
of potential uses. It allows us to manipulate the conditions within
the main chamber and within sub-chambers. We are able to tailor
a testing programme to combine any of the following factors:
Temperature and Humidity:
We can manipulate and accurately control temperature
within the range -20°C to +50°C and humidity within the
range from 5% RH to 95% RH. This means that we can
replicate environmental conditions ranging from the Arctic
to the Sahara desert, to south-east Asian summers!
Hypoxic condition:
Our test chamber can manipulate its atmosphere leaving a higher
concentration of Nitrogen – Hypoxic air. Oxygen levels are monitored
by an oxygen sensor to ensure that safety is maintained. Uses: to
improve human performance, to simulate the effects of altitude
(e.g. altitude of over 5,000 metres) or to promote injury recovery.
Air flow:
Air movement can be turbulent or laminar flow, or we can use
directional fans to simulate forward motion of a vehicle. Uses: to
simulate natural environmental conditions or to remove odours and
other pollutants.
Size: Our test chamber is large, (5m x 5m), and tall (over 4m).
We are therefore able to test vehicles and their components (e.g.
the efficiency of car pollen filters or VOC emissions) in different
environmental conditions. We also have a smaller environmental test
cabinet and sub-chambers.
Monitoring gases:
Gases can be extracted from our test chamber and
analysed using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
(GC-MS). This includes Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs) emanating from products and materials.
This facility will be showcased at the metnet event on the 24th November at Bransford, Worcestershire (details in event section). If you would like more details on the facility please email metnet@shropshire.gov.uk