Development of an automated spore monitoring and reporting technology   

The Challenge

Mould is a significant and growing indoor air quality concern in Australia, closely linked to dampness, condensation, and poor ventilation. It poses serious health risks—ranging from allergic reactions to toxic and infectious diseases—and is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations living in insecure or overcrowded housing. Despite its impact, mould often goes undetected due to outdated and unreliable monitoring methods, which fail to capture harmful nonculturable species. Recent analysis shows that up to 40 percent of Australian buildings are affected by damp and mould, with asthma-related health costs alone estimated at between $AU4.2–$AU5.6 billion annually. New South Wales’ temperate climate further exacerbates the issue, creating ideal conditions for mould growth. As allergenic and immune-related conditions rise across the population, the lack of timely, accurate detection makes effective intervention difficult—leaving individuals and communities at ongoing risk.

The Solution

To address the widespread challenge of indoor mould, this project will adapt BioScout’s SMART technology—an autonomous, solar-powered bioaerosol sampler—for indoor environments. Originally developed for agriculture, the device uses automated imaging, 4G communication, and machine learning to detect and classify airborne spores in near real-time. Unlike traditional lab-based methods, SMART can continuously monitor mould with minimal human intervention, providing high-resolution, real-time data on spore presence and type. This breakthrough enables rapid identification of harmful, nonculturable mould species that current methods often miss. By training the system’s algorithms for indoor conditions, the project aims to deliver accurate, scalable mould detection across settings like schools, workplaces, and housing. The result is a transformative tool for building managers, policymakers, and public health officials—empowering proactive interventions, reducing exposure risks, and supporting evidence-based policies to improve indoor air quality and public health outcomes across Australia.

Industry Partners

University Partners