After analysis, the sample is trans- ported into a magazine. This enables subsequent analysis and validation of the results, for example by scientists. In theory, this can take place months later. Analysis via the light microscope and the fact that the samples are retained make the BAA500 unique compared with other similar systems. Another FAULHABER DC-micromotor of the 1727…C series takes care of the necessary movement and precision during archiving. "Ambrosia looks a bit like a spiky ball, pine looks like Mickey Mouse. That should be easy to distinguish, but it gets very challenging when you want to clearly tell apart adjacent early bloomers," explains Dr. Haus. Another problem are so-called varia, i.e. pollen which are still unidentified. These pollen are compared to the database, provisionally categorized, and then an operator checks and assigns the pollen. "This allows us to add new species, but also make corrections if a species looks different, for example in the cold spring of this year." The real-time monitoring also produces very interesting findings. "Previously, aerobiologists assumed that there is no pollen in the air in cold weather. But our measurements showed that we had pollen in cold January." Powerful network The Free State of Bavaria was so impressed with the system that it began setting up an electronic pol- len information network (ePIN) back in 2019. The locations were select- ed on the basis of a study by the Center for Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) at the Technical University of Munich and the research center Helm- holtz Zentrum München. Various cli- mate parameters and the population density were taken into account to optimally distribute the eight mea- suring stations. In addition to Munich, devices from Hund are now located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Feucht, Viechtach, Marktheidenfeld, Altötting, Mindelheim, and Hof. "The Bavarian Ministry of Health invested two mil- lion euros into this the world's first 1 4 3 2 5 7 8 6 9 The website of Helmut Hund GmbH shows the pollen information measured with the BAA500 in Berlin, Freiburg, Leipzig, Wiesbaden, Wetzlar, and Munich. The data for a month, a calendar week, or even individual days can be selected. The data can be retrieved here: https://t1p.de/PIN. electronic pollen information network. This is a good investment, because 50% of the two million allergy sufferers in Bavaria react to pollen," said Bavar- ia's Minister of Health Melanie Huml during the launch in 2019. "The true power of these devices lies in networking," Dr. Haus believes, "you can make very precise predictions if you combine the data from the vari- ous pollen analysis stations and the weather data." There are a total of 20 devices in Berlin, Wetzlar, Leipzig and Wiesbaden in addition to the Bavari- an ePIN locations. Choosing the right location is very important, as diesel soot or tire abrasion, for example, can impact the results. "It wouldn't make any sense to set it up in the middle of a rapeseed field where you only get rapeseed pollen. This is why we set up our measuring stations at a height of about 12 meters on the roofs of clinics or institutes." The data can be retrieved in real-time around the clock online or via an app. Even medical practices or allergists like to use the service to optimally treat their patients. "Our device in Wetzlar is our test unit, and every time we want to try out a new function we have to shut it down. While carrying out such a test, we had a lot of people calling in asking for the data. It showed us that our analysis is very important to a great number of people. That is anoth- er reason why we use FAULHABER drives, because they are reliable, pre- cise, and durable." FAULHABER SERIES 1727…C DC-MICROMOTOR www.faulhaber.com/en/markets/ precision-monitoring-measuring/ www.hund.de FAULHABER motion 17