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Engineering low-cost methodology for studying airborne microbes.
Consulting by  Dr. David J. Smith, Scientist in the Planetary Science Division (PSD) at NASA Headquarters, Ph.D. in Biology & Astrobiology
Hypothesis & Challenge
Hypothesis & Challenge
Is microbial diversity higher at 100 meters in suburban environment than at ground level?
Higher in the atmosphere there are fewer obstacles and more air currents, so it was hypothesized that fungal diversity would be greater at 100 meters than at ground level in the suburban environment.
There is no accessible method to sample bioaerosols at specific altitudes
There is a lack of options for studying microbial diversity that are realistically affordable and repeatable. Not everyone has access to a helicopter or scientific air sampler.
Approach
Approach
A sampling device was designed and programmed for the purpose of airborne flight by drone.
A sampling device was designed in OnShape, 3D printed at a local library, and programmed with an Arduino to open and close a petri dish on a 10-minute timer. (Several prototypes were involved.)
Findings
Findings
The sampling approach was a success, and microbial diversity was found to be higher at 100 meters.
Average microibial diversity was found to be greater in the 100 meter samples on both indices.
It was found that the sampling device and drone setup is a repeatable and cost effective means for studying airborne microbes.
Abstract
Abstract
The collection of bioaerosols, airborne microbes, is an important process to understand the biological composition of the atmosphere. However, there is no standard way to sample microbes hundreds of meters up, and many methods of doing so are expensive, making the study of bioaerosols somewhat inaccessible. This study designed, 3D printed, assembled and tested a cost effective lightweight bioaerosol sampling device that was attached to a F11 Pro Ruko drone. Bioaerosols can be dispersed through the atmosphere, and this dispersal causes greater diversity. To test the viability of the bioaerosol sampling device, the device was used to measure this diversity at different altitudes in a suburban environment. Fungal spores were chosen as a bioaerosol to be collected due to its abundance and easily identifiable traits for colonies. Samples of fungal spores were collected using the device at ground level and 100 meters five different times, and it was predicted that the 100 meter samples would have a higher average diversity. The Gini-Simpsons and Shannon Evenness Indices (GSI and SEI) revealed that the 100 meter samples had an average of 7% (p=0.1465) and 9% (p=0.1872) greater diversity than the ground level samples. Although this value was not significant (p<0.05), the trend may mean that there is a greater diversity at 100 meters, implying that long distance bioaerosol transport may occur in suburban areas. Future uses include collecting samples at varying temperatures, humidities, and wind speeds.
Read the paper: Â Contact Dylan directly to get a copy of the full research paper.
Methodology Summary
Methodology Summary
The three core phases of the research study:
Engineering the Sampling Device
Engineering the Sampling Device
The device was designed in OnShape and 3D printed in PLA at a local library. An Arduino powered by a 4AA battery pack drives a servo that opens and closes a petri dish of potato dextrose agar on a 10-minute timer.
Three prototypes were built. The first two were too heavy and the dish did not close reliably, so the frame and attachment points were reworked until the third version flew stably. The final device cost $68.71 in materials.
Collecting Samples at 100m
Collecting Samples at 100m
A dish was loaded into the device, the timer was started, and the device was hung from an F11 Pro Ruko drone. The drone flew to 100 meters while the device was monitored through its camera.
A second dish stayed on the ground and opened and closed at the same moment, so the two samples differed only in altitude. This was repeated for five sets of samples, and each dish was sealed with tape afterward.
Lab Work
Lab Work
The dishes were incubated for five days at 25°C. Each distinct colony was then counted, with colonies told apart by their shape and texture.
From those counts, the Shannon evenness and Gini-Simpson diversity indices were calculated. The results were graphed in GraphPad Prism to compare the 100 meter and ground-level samples.
Engineering | Field Work | Lab Samples
Science Fair Research Poster
Science Fair Research Poster
Below is the research poster presented at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF).
Harrison High School, Harrison, NY
Science Research Teacher and Advisor: Allison Blunt
Environmental Perspiration Award
Environmental Perspiration Award
In the Spring of 2026, Dylan was honored to receive the Environmental Perspiration Award at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF). He received this recognition for demonstrating perseverance and dedication while performing field work.
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