TSI DUSTTRAK™ Used to Monitor Frac-Sand Mines in Western Wisconsin

September 23, 2011 - As frac-sand mines open in Chippewa County (Western Wisconsin) for oil and gas refinery, TSI's DUSTTRAK™ will serve as an important tool for assessing environmental impacts and air quality. Already, researchers at University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire have used the DUSTTRAK to track the presence of minute silica particles in the air- common with this type of mining.

For more information on TSI's DustTrak, click here. 

To view the Kare 11 news report “Wisconsin sand sparks a 'gold' rush”, click here. 

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Featured Q&A with TSI's own Troy Tillman

September 2011 - The latest TSI download on  Pharmaceutical Online  features a Question and Answer with TSI’s own Troy Tillman on New ISO Particle Counting Regulations. 

 To view the full content, visit here.

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Emilcott Streamlines Annual Fit Test with TSI Qfit™ Respirator Fit Tester

July 20, 2011 - It is no secret that annually fit-testing an army of residents and fellows at large teaching hospitals is a huge undertaking.  The hassle of setting-up the environment and administering the test often downplays its true importance.

Paula Kaufmann, CIH, along with Emilcott’s respirator fit testing team worked with the infectious disease and EHS groups at a regional teaching hospital during the facility’s annual fit test campaign. Kaufmann states, “As a Certified Industrial Hygienist, my challenge is to convey the why, how and when of respirator use (according to OSHA Respirator Standard training and fit testing requirements) to anyone on my watch – even when my target audience consists of impatient, high-achieving and time-pressed medical professionals. In an odd role reversal, I’m doing the life saving … using occupational health and safety standards to protect their bodies as they do their jobs.”

However, even the well- planned and appropriately staffed Emilcott team faced several days, sometimes weeks, of fit-testing to accommodate the schedules of rounds, staff, patients and Human Resources. Looking for a time-saving solution, Emilcott turned to TSI’s Qfit™ Respirator Fit Tester - the only OSHA (29CFR1910.134) compliant automated pump driven nebulizer for BITREX® and Saccharin to qualitatively fit test the integrity of respirators.

“Emilcott’s fit testing team became considerably more efficient this year by switching to the TSI Qfit to generate the test atmospheres,” Kaufmann said. “One touch of a button on these pump-driven nebulizers produces the equivalent of 5 bulb nebulizer compressions and uses quick, pop-on cartridges containing the challenge solutions. The easy and consistent delivery system of the nebulizers enabled us to focus our attention on the respirator user and the respirator fit. In our estimation, more than 1,000 staffers, new and seasoned, passed through our fit testing process in a matter of days!”

To learn more about Emilcott’s fit-testing campaign, please read their full story on the EHSWire.

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June 23, 2011- TSI Incorporated is pleased to announce that nationally recognized instructors, Dr. Roy McKay of the University of Cincinnati and Craig E. Colton, CIH with M.C. Townsend Associates, are offering valuable respiratory protection training in one-and two-day courses held at locations throughout the country. Designed for all levels of experience, these experts teach current standards regulating respiratory protection, approved fit testing methods and correct techniques to administer and maintain a successful respiratory protection program.

Proper respiratory protection is a common problem.  In fact, in 2010, Respiratory Protection was in the top five most-cited OSHA violations for general industry. To help improve your risk management program, and comply with regulations, these Respiratory Protection Workshops present a thorough overview of the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29CFR 1910.134), as well as guidelines on when respirator fit testing is necessary.  Attendees will also receive valuable hands-on quantitative fit test (QNFT) and qualitative fit test (QLFT) training with the TSI PortaCount® Respirator Fit Tester for QNFT and Qfit™ Respirator Fit Tester for QLFT.  Interpreting fit test results and common mistakes will also be covered. At the completion of each workshop participants will be eligible for Continuing Education credits.

For a list of training locations and dates, visit www.tsi.com/roadshows

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April 27, 2011 - TSI Incorporated is pleased to announce the ISO 9001:2008 Standard recertification of its Shoreview, Minnesota facility.  Spanning three and a half days, the in-depth ISO audit performed by BSI reviewed the quality management system in great detail.  In addition to achieving recertification, TSI proudly reports that zero nonconformance findings were issued. 

Tom Jacobson, TSI Vice President, Operations, comments “The auditors have seen hundreds of companies, of all sizes and types, in great detail.  The fact that they consider TSI among the best they have seen is a testament to the employees of TSI and their quality performance.”

As the world’s largest developer of quality standards, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) helps ensure the manufacturing process is efficient, safe and clean – all leading to quality products that meet consumer standards.  To maintain their ISO certification, companies must pass a registered third-party recertification audit every three years and a surveillance audit yearly.

TSI strives to meet or exceed customers' needs and expectations through continual improvement of processes, products and services. For more information, visit Quailty Programs in the About TSI section.

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TSI Incorporated Releases New Duct Leakage Tester 

May 3, 2011 – The TSI Positive and Negative Duct Accreditation (PANDA) System, PAN200 Series, is designed to provide fast, accurate duct leakage detection, as well as duct performance measurements. 

Packaged with the TSI VELOCICALC® 9565-P and DP-Calc Micromanometer 5825, the PAN200 series offers real-time leakage rate calculations, monitors barometric pressure and temperature, generates a Pass/Fail result, and simplifies report generation and documentation by downloading stored data.  The system can also print out leakage test results when coupled with a Model 8934 Portable Printer.

Its unique design allows the PANDA System to test a full range of pressures, and to conduct both positive and negative duct leakage tests in one system. Equipped with a high-flow fan for large duct sections, the PAN200 series pressurizes the duct quickly, allowing testing to begin in minutes. The PANDA System also helps to ensure compliance with SMACNA, EN12237, EN1507 and EUROVENT 2/2 standards, enhancing energy savings in buildings. The system fits in the back of vans and trucks for easy transportation.

Ideal for contractors, commissioning engineers, and research and development technicians, the PAN200 Series offers a best-in-class automated solution to quantify air leakage in ductwork and other areas.

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TSI Inc Hosts President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 

Shoreview, MN-  TSI welcomed Dr. Chunli Bai, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (GUAC), to the annual L.M. Fingerson/TSI Incorporated Distinguished Lecture (April 27, 2011) at the University of Minnesota, an annual event co-sponsored by the company. 

Dr. Bai’s presentation entitled, Nano Science and Technology: Challenges and Opportunities, was delivered to a large audience interested in the important role nanoscience will play in the next science and technology revolution.  Professor Bai spoke from experience, having been instrumental in furthering China’s nanoscience and technology research both as a scientist and a policy-maker. As chief scientist of National Steering Committee for Nanoscience and Related Technology, as well as founding director and Council Chairman of the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in China, Dr. Bai has initiated and coordinated a number of national key projects related to nano science.

Following the lecture, TSI Inc. hosted a luncheon for Dr. Bai, as well as Professor Chen Wang,  Director of China National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Professor Yong Deng, Chairman of University Council of GUCAS, and a number of their colleagues, during which the group toured TSI’s headquarters and met with TSI’s CEO, Tom Kennedy. The visitors also learned more about TSI’s involvement in nano science as the leading manufacturer of precision measurement instrumentation used in many nano related applications including; the sizing and counting of nano particles in aerosols and aqueous solutions for research into indoor air quality, toxicology, and emissions as well as quality assurance for carbon nanotubes and other nano material manufacturers.

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April 5, 2011 —TSI Incorporated is proud to launch a newly redesigned line of thermal anemometers and indoor air quality instruments, including the  VelociCalc® Multi-Function Ventilation Meter Model 9565 and the Q-TRAK™ Multi-Function IAQ Monitor Model 7575 .

Backed by proven technology and TSI’s commitment to innovation, the recently updated products provide highly accurate, fast, and easy-to-use measurement instrumentation for building service contractors, commissioning specialists, facility engineers, HVAC experts, and research professionals.

Based on an ergonomic design scheme, TSI’s handheld ventilation meters include a comfortable probe holder and feature a large display screen for viewing key IAQ measurement parameters effortlessly. Menu prompts and step-by-step instructions guide the user through operation, instrument setup and field calibration in one of 12 different languages, ensuring ease-of-use; while additional “plug and play” sensors and probes can easily be swapped out to further augment the instruments’ usability and range of measurement capabilities.

Now equipped with the expanded storage capacity of TRAKPRO™ data analysis software and the straightforward LogDat2™ downloading software program, TSI’s newest instruments make data logging and analysis more convenient than ever before. In fact, users can opt for data to be recalled, reviewed on screen, downloaded, or printed in real-time; alternatively, measurements can be tracked for longer term trending and later graphed for more effective reporting.

Long trusted by professionals the world over for best-in-class indoor air quality measurement instrumentation, TSI’s newly redesigned ventilation meters raise the bar yet again.

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TSI Celebrating 50 Years

February 1, 2011 - TSI Incorporated, an industry leader in the design and production of precision measurement instruments is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. 

TSI was founded in 1961 by a group of University of Minnesota engineering graduates.  Since then, customers have depended on TSI for our product quality and technical expertise. To build customer trust and meet critical requirements, our more than 400 employees generate research driven, value-added and field-tested solutions that simplify measurement processes without sacrificing precision, accuracy or reliability.

Over the past 50 years TSI has developed more than 200 precision instruments and over 50 patents as a byproduct of technology partnerships with scientists from leading research universities. This cooperation has resulted in more than 25 technology licenses spanning scientific to industrial manufacturing applications. From monitoring classroom air to measuring Martian wind velocity, TSI instruments contribute to the design and optimization of production procedures, verifying problem resolution or generating process improvement.

Building upon our global presence, technical expertise and passion for innovation and our customers, TSI looks forward to continuing to set the standard for measurements in the years to come. 

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TSI Announces Partnership with Inteccon Incorporated

January 3, 2011 - TSI Incorporated, a worldwide leader in performance measurement solutions, is pleased to announce a Master Distributor arrangement with Inteccon Incorporated (www.intecconinc.com), for Latin America and Caribbean distribution of TSI’s Energy & Comfort, Health & Safety and Environmental Monitoring product lines.

As the dynamics of the world economy change, TSI recognizes the opportunity and need to actively participate in growing and supporting the business in the region. Beyond the economic growth, TSI can contribute to the advancement of important industrial hygiene, environmental and indoor air quality standards and guidelines.

The TSI and Inteccon partnership represents an important step forward and demonstrates TSI’s commitment to the Latin America and Caribbean markets.

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TSI Launches Sales of New Miniature Black Carbon Monitor Model AE51

February 1, 2010 - TSI Incorporated is proud to announce the launch of the Model AE51 Miniature Black Carbon Monitor.

The AE51 is a handheld instrument that detects and quantifies the presence of aerosol black carbon (BC) by Aethalometry, that is by measuring the attenuation of a light beam transmitted through aerosol particles that are continuously collected from the atmosphere on a filter. Weighing just 8.8 ounces (250 g) and with a footprint of only 4.6” x 2.6” x 1.5”, the AE51 is the smallest and lowest cost BC monitor in the world. Despite its small size, the AE51 boasts real-time, high-resolution, wide dynamic range and data logging performance that compares well even to much higher priced research-level instruments: 0.001 µg/m³ resolution, 0-1 mg BC/m³ range, variable time base from 1 sec to 5 min, and data storage space for up to a month of measurements. It is ideal for use in a wide variety of application spaces including: epidemiology research; the study of climate change and visibility; workplace monitoring; and engine exhaust and combustion source monitoring. In each of these markets, the handheld AE51 is a unique instrument that, due to its low cost and miniaturization, serves an unmet need. It is particularly useful for ambient measurements and health effects studies where multiple units can be deployed for multi-point monitoring in both outdoor and indoor environments, such as along roadsides, in the workplace where carbon nanotubes are manufactured or used, or in homes where there is human exposure to combustion sources. In the environmental field it can be launched on a weather balloon to obtain BC concentrations as a function of altitude. It is also useful for on-site engine exhaust applications where real-time measurements and highly portable instruments are required.

To make a request for more information on  the TSI AE51 Miniature Black Carbon Monitor, click here or contact TSI at 800-874-2811 or email particle@tsi.com.

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TSI Announces 2011 Seminars and Webinars for Research and Analytic Applications 

February 17, 2011- TSI Incorporated will once again offer a wide range of educational and networking opportunities for researchers in the fields of aerosol science and fluid mechanics to participate in throughout 2011.  In particular, TSI experts will host a running series of seminars and webinars aimed at providing ongoing professional development, information on the latest measurement solutions, and additional system training. TSI also hopes that such events will serve as a forum for more in-depth scientific discussions and idea sharing among researchers. 

For more information and to register for TSI's Global Aerosol Education seminars (all day, in person events), in North America please click here.

For more information and to register for TSI's Global Aerosol Education seminars (all day, in person events), in Europe please click here.

For more information and to register for TSI's Global Aerosol Education webinars (informational sessions presented via internet), please click here.

For more information and to register for TSI's Fluid Mechanics Webinar Series (informational sessions presented via internet), please click here.

For more information and to register for TSI's Fluid Mechanics seminars (all day, in person events), in Europe please click here.

For more information and to register for the 35th Annual Aerosol and Particle Measurement Short Course co-sponsored by the University of Minnesota and TSI, please click here.

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TSI AeroTrak featured on the cover page of international Cleanroom Technology magazine

December 16, 2010 – Stephen Harbottle, lead embryologist at the new IVF facility for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, chose the Facility Monitoring Systems (FMS) to monitor real-time data, produce reports and notify critical alarms both on site and remotely via an auto-dialler and SMS text messaging system.

Parameters continuously monitored by the system include: incubator temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels, cryo-storage vessels and fridges. The embryology laboratory is also continuously monitored for temperature.

Cleanroom areas have independent pressure sensors and particle counting duties are performed by a TSI AeroTrak portable particle counter, which feeds data direct to the FMS system in real time.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to affect the success rate of assisted reproductive techniques and Harbottle is keen to include continuous laboratory VOC monitoring as part of the FMS system.

Click here for more information on this article.

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TSI PortaCount Academy Wins OH&S 2010 Product of the Year 

October 7, 2010 – TSI PortaCount Academy was awarded Occupational Health & Safety magazine’s second annual New Product of the Year award at the National Safety Council Congress and Expo.  The 2010 new product of the year contest recognized leading manufacturers in the health and safety industry for excelling in innovation, quality and customer service.

This year there were 17 award recognition categories, of which TSI won Onsite Training with the Portacount Academy.  The PortaCount Academy’s Onsite Campus is one of four innovative training options that enables customers to have a lesson plan scaled to their specific site needs.   With this option, customers can attend the PortaCount Academy by conveniently bringing training to their own work site.

The PortaCount Academy is aimed at providing new customers and experienced users alike with the best product training tools available in order to maximize the benefit of their PortaCount Pro/Pro+ Respirator Fit Tester.  By enrolling in the PortaCount Academy customers will be able to choose from a variety of dynamic learning methods through an interactive tutorial CD, webinars, and onsite training both at TSI and at a customer workplace. 

For the second year in a row, TSI products have stood out and received the Occupational Health & Safety magazine’s Product of the Year.   TSI’s PortaCount Respirator Fit Tester received Occupational Health & Safety magazine’s inaugural 2009 New Product of the Year award.

In addition to being honored at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo, the winners will be featured on the Occupational Health & Safety Web site, www.ohsonline.com, and highlighted in the September and December 2010 issues of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.

Click here for more information on the PortaCount Academy.

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TSI Offers Total Fit Testing Solution. No Stress. No Mess. At the push of a button. Fit test done.

February 15, 2010 – TSI Incorporated introduces a no stress, no mess qualitative fit testing solution. The Qfit™ Respirator Fit Tester is the only OSHA (29CFR1910.134) compliant automated nebulizer for BITREX® and Saccharin to qualitatively test the integrity of respirators.  

At the push of a button, the Qfit™ fit tester generates a consistent test agent with a pump driven nebulizer utilizing pre-filled cartridges. The Qfit™ fit tester reduces solution clogging, minimizes repetitive stress disorders, and eliminates the nuisance of mixing, handling and refilling solutions.

 The Qfit™ Respirator Fit Tester models are light weight, portable, and battery operated. Operating with either automatic and manual, the Qfit™ fit tester replaces the need to repetitively hand aspirate a rubber squeeze bulb by utilizing an integral pump to disperse sensitivity and fit test solutions. Both automatic and manual Qfit™ fit testers can be operated in either a handheld or remote mode.

 TSI President Tom Kennedy states, “For 25 years, TSI has been the industry leader in respirator fit testing. TSI is dedicated to global occupational health and safety. With the release of a qualitative fit tester, TSI now offers a total fit testing solution. TSI still believes that quantitative fit testing is best, but the Qfit™ fit testers at least ensure consistent application of qualitative fit testing.”

 Easy... Accurate... Reliable… TSI, your total fit testing solution. Request information and interactive demo CD today.

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TSI Acquires Quant Technologies, LLC Assets and Intellectual Property

September 24th, 2010 -- TSI Incorporated, a worldwide leader in aerosol measurement technology, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Quant Technologies’ water-based condensation particle counter (WCPC) assets and intellectual property. Production and service of the existing line of WCPCs will be transferred to TSI’s ISO 9001 certified facility in Shoreview, MN.   

Tom Kennedy, President of TSI, comments “This is an extremely important acquisition supporting TSI’s planned growth in nanoparticle measurement and other strategic segments.  Quant has done an excellent job advancing the first generation of WCPC instruments.  Moving forward, TSI will invest more resources into this technology to address many emerging applications.” 

Water-based condensation particle counters accurately measure in real time the concentration of nano-particulates in an airstream.  WCPCs have become an important aerosol measurement tool and are being used effectively by many investigators in a wide variety of applications including ambient air monitoring, contamination control, and basic airborne particle research. This acquisition will allow TSI to fully control product development, production, quality, and service of the WCPCs. 

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TSI Supports Oil Spill Response

June 9, 2010 – In response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, TSI Incorporated’s DustTrak™ Aerosol Monitors, SidePak™ AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitors, and PortaCount® Respirator Fit Testers are currently being mobilized and used to monitor and protect workers conducting clean-up activities.  These activities include monitoring the burning of oil slicks, the application of Corexit® oil spill dispersant, oil skimming recovery operations, workers conducting shoreline clean-up activities, and respirator fit testing of workers.

A group of toxicologists working with a number of environmental remediation companies is conducting real-time monitoring at these various applications.  This work is being done in order to come up with defined mass concentration action limits of the aerosols being generated from the various clean-up activities that have the potential to cause respiratory illnesses.  Real-time photometers, which measure mass concentrations, are the instrument of choice to help determine safe working conditions for the protection of workers or when an upgrade in PPE (the use of respirators) is necessary.

TSI Incorporated’s DustTrak™ Aerosol Monitors and SidePak™ AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitors are being used to test the air to ensure that workers maintain a safe distance from the oil burn and spill dispersant activities or to determine when respirators are necessary.  These monitors are continuous real-time 90° light-scattering laser photometers that simultaneously measure size-segregated mass fraction concentrations corresponding to PM₁, PM_2.5, Respirable, PM₁₀, and Total PM size fractions. These monitors measure aerosol contaminants such as dust, smoke, fumes, mists, fogs, etc. They are suitable for outdoor environmental monitoring, construction sites, harsh workplaces, industrial applications, as well as clean office settings.  Additionally, the PortaCount® Respirator Fit Testers are being used to quantitatively fit test workers being employed by environmental remediation companies to conduct clean-up activities.

Click here for more information.

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TSI Announces New FHC50 Fume Hood Controller  

April 14, 2010 – TSI Incorporated, the leader in products for critical environment applications, proudly announces its new FHC50 Fume Hood Controller.  The FHC50 provides the ultimate in flexibility, safety and energy savings.  Input measurement options include sash sensors, side-wall velocity sensors and flows from venturi valves, pressure- or thermal-based flow stations.  The FHC50 can control valves or dampers with a fast-acting actuator for containment during sash movement. 

Versions of the FHC50 seamlessly integrate to Building Management Systems via BACnet®, LonWorks®, or Modbus™ to document alarms and trend data.  Visual and audible alarms provide a local indication of unsafe conditions.  Additional inputs and outputs make it easy to configure options like remote alarms and unoccupied modes.  The FHC50 now allows engineers the flexibility to design laboratories the way they should be designed.    

For more information on critical environments instruments from TSI, visit www.tsi.com/lab.

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TSI Customer Used Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to Spill the Truth on the BP Oil Leak

May 20, 2010- Despite some insistence that there is not an effective way of measuring how much oil is actually being leaked into the Gulf of Mexico, many scientists disagree noting a variety of established measurement techniques for such a purpose.  Among these scientists is TSI customer and collaborator Steve Wereley, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University, who recently used Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system  to assess the rate at which oil is spewing from the Gulf of Mexico with the help of BP’s own underwater video footage.  According to his analysis, the amount of oil escaping from the sea floor is on the order of 70, 000 barrels of oil per day, far exceeding estimates recently released by BP stating the leak was limited to 5,000 barrels per day.  

To view BP’s video footage, click here.

To learn more about TSI’s Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) System, click here.

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 University of Minnesota and TSI Offer 35th Annual Aerosol and Particle Measurement Shortcourse

April 27, 2010- TSI Incorporated will again join the University of Minnesota to host the Aerosol and Particle Measurement Shortcourse  in addition to the Bio-Aerosol Measurement Shortcourse .

Aerosol and Particle Measurement Short Course (August 23-25, 2010).

This course includes information on air pollution, industrial hygiene, and nanoparticle technology, as well as aerosol sampling and measurement for bioaerosol, cleanroom, and contamination control. It covers both fundamentals and applications to meet the growing demand of professionals for training in the aerosol field. The course objectives are to provide theoretical and practical training for individuals with a need for knowledge of the behavior of airborne particles and skills to sample, measure, and characterize airborne particulate matter for cleanroom, contamination control, air pollution, bioaerosol, and industrial hygiene studies. For more information and to register, click here.

Bioaerosol Measurement Short Course (August 26-27, 2010).

The objective of this course is to provide information and hands-on training for individuals who are interested in bioaerosol measurement instrumentation, protocols, capabilities, and limitations in both laboratory and field settings. Applications include generation, transport, sampling, and characterization of fungi, bacteria, and virus containing particles in various indoor and outdoor settings.  For more information and to register, click here.

For more information on this exciting opportunity, visit the University of Minnesota's Aerosol Short Course Website.

Be sure to check back with TSI for more information.

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TSI Delivers in Time of Need

June 11, 2009 -  the World Health Organization, (WHO), announced that the world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. The Influenza virus A(H1N1) is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countries.

On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6. Level six is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region and the same virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in at least one other country in another WHO region. Countries should prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. Countries where outbreaks appear to have peaked should prepare for a second wave of infection. Countries with widespread transmission should focus on the appropriate management of patients.

As a recognized leader in quantitative respirator fit testing, isolation room pressure controls and filter testing equipment, TSI Incorporated is playing a key role in supporting healthcare organizations worldwide. TSI is making every responsible effort to keep our customers aware of current best practices that are being adopted or recommended by authorities such as: government, regulatory and industry organizations. In response to the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have issued the latest recommendation:

“Respiratory Protection: All healthcare personnel who enter the rooms of patients in isolation for swine influenza should wear a fit-tested disposable N95 respirator or equivalent (e.g., powered air purifying respirator). Respiratory protection should be donned upon room entry.¹”

Respiratory protection for hospital staff is one of the most critical issues. Surgical masks were at one time considered sufficient, but new evidence² from CDC/NIOSH clearly shows that they do almost nothing to protect the individual wearer. N95 respirators have emerged as the preferred and required method of respiratory protection for most hospital staff. When respirators are required, so is respirator training and fit testing as part of an overall written respiratory protection program³.

The European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have issued a similar recommendation.

There are several methods of respirator fit-testing: quantitative and qualitative. The most accurate method is quantitative fit-testing. The TSI PortaCount® Pro+ Respirator Fit Tester is the only quantitative fit tester, capable of fit testing all respirators, including N95’s. It performs fit test measurements under conditions approximating actual use and is compliant with all respiratory protection standards, regulations and guidelines including:
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134
• OSHA/CDC/WHO Pandemic/Terrorism Preparedness Guidelines
• Joint Commission (LD.1.30)
• CDC Tuberculosis Guidelines
• ANSI Z88.10
• CSA Z94.4 (Canada)
• EN529:2005 (Europe)
• HSE 282/28 (United Kingdom)
• TNI HSE 282/28 (Slovakia)
• BGR 190 (Germany)
• AS/NZS 1715 (Australia/New Zealand)

A respiratory protection program that includes quantitative fit-testing is the key to giving healthcare staff a higher level of confidence in their respirators making them more likely to report to work in a pandemic.

Of equal importance is hospital isolation room pressure, the CDC states that “Procedures that are likely to generate aerosols (e.g., bronchoscopy, elective intubation, suctioning, administering nebulized medications), should be done in a location with negative pressure air handling whenever feasible. An airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) with negative pressure air handling with 6 to 12 air changes per hour can be used. Air can be exhausted directly outside or be recirculated after filtration by a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Facilities should monitor and document the proper negative-pressure function of AIIRs, including those in operating rooms, intensive care units, emergency departments, and procedure rooms.¹”

TSI’s PresSura Isolation Room Monitors are the industry standard for monitoring isolation rooms in hospitals and other health care facilities. It accurately and continuously monitors negative isolation pressure, providing alarms if pressure is lost, and outputs to assist hospitals in monitoring and documenting proper room control.

In addition, TSI continues to support the development of new filter media and quality control standards of commercial respirator manufactures across the globe with TSI’s Automated Filter Tester Models 8127 and 8130.

TSI provides multiple solutions for this time of need. Click here for more information

Attached are some links to help aid in keeping up to date information on the SOIV H1N1 outbreak:

Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Health and Human Serviced Department links:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/community/maskguidancecommunity.html

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/maskguidancehc.html

http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/

World Health Organization links:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

An international leader in measurement technology for over 40 years, TSI Incorporated designs and manufactures precision instruments used for respirator fit testing, exposure monitoring, contamination control, indoor air quality, ventilation testing, aerosol research instruments, and other key parameters in the environment. TSI serves the needs of industry, governments, research institutions and academia. Visit our website at www.tsi.com for more information.

References:
1- Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_infection_control.htm
2- Lawrence RB, Duling MG, Calvert CA, Coffey CC. (2006). Comparison of Performance of Three Different Types of Respiratory Protection Devices, J Occup Environ Hyg. 3: 465-474 (Sep. 2006).

3- Commission to Investigate the Introduction and Spread of SARS in Ontario (2006). The SARS Commission Final Report – Spring of Fear – Vol. 3, p.1047 (Dec. 2006).

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TSI Supports Scientific Art Exhibit in Berlin, Germany 

January 6, 2010- TSI Incorporated is proud to be a part of a unique art installation that will be on display (January 15- February 27, 2010) at the Schering Foundation located in Berlin, Germany.

The exhibit “Wolken-Kern-Scanner” created by well known German artist Agnes Meyer-Brandis, in conjunction with the Schering Foundation and the German Aerospace Center, examines the link between the science and the art of clouds. In particular, artist Meyer-Brandis worked with aerosol scientists to portray how clouds form, their composition, and the methods by which scientists analyze cloud development, in an effort to unite the two disciplines. As such, TSI provided one of its instruments for display- the Water based Condensation Particle Counter (WCPC) Model 3781, suited for atmospheric studies – to demonstrate how aerosol particles found in clouds are actually counted and measured.

Artist Agnes Meyer-Brandis studied mineralogy in Aachen and sculpture in Dusseldorf and Cologne. The young Cologne artist explores the interface of art and science, and has already shown much of her acclaimed work in international exhibits and festivals, receiving numerous grants and honors.

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 TSI Launches New Environmental Particle Counter Model 3783

March 19, 2010- TSI Incorporated is proud to introduce the EPC™ Environmental Particle Counter™ Monitor Model 3783. The EPC™ monitor measures fine and Ultra-Fine Particulate (UFP) concentrations in real-time, reliably and accurately. EPA and European Commission reference methods (PM_2.5, PM₁₀), as well as equivalent mass based methods, cannot quantify the amount of UFP in the air. The new Model 3783 from TSI provides quantitative fine and UFP concentration data where FRM and equivalent methods fall short.

Targeted at unattended 24/7 operation, this rack mount ready particle counter detects ultra-fine particles down to 6 nanometers and delivers robust field performance in both pristine and heavily polluted areas. The 3783 is easy to use, requires minimal maintenance, and is designed for flexibility. With a color touch screen and USB stick data collection option, the EPC™ monitor can run as a standalone instrument, or can be operated using a laptop and Aerosol Instrument Manager^® (AIM) software featuring automated data analysis.

The result of thoughtful design, rigorous internal testing, and extensive field validation, the new EPC™ monitor Model 3783 features over 20 new product design elements. Freshly engineered air flow, wicking and water handling systems provide superior performance. Advanced instrument diagnostics, including a novel pulse height analyzer, monitor instrument health, provide early warning of potential problems and safeguard data accuracy.

The new Environmental Particle Counter brings TSI’s expertise in aerosol instrumentation to ambient monitoring applications. TSI’s CEO, Tom Kennedy stated, “TSI’s new EPC™ Environmental Particle Counter™ Monitor Model 3783 represents thoughtful innovation based on extensive customer feedback throughout the development and test process. Its many design features have been optimized to meet user’s needs and validated to ensure ultra fine particle measurements are reliable.”

The EPC™ Environmental Particle Counter™ Monitor Model 3783 from TSI helps Count the Way to Cleaner Air.

For more information regarding the TSI 3783 Environmental Particle Counter, click here or contact TSI at 800-874-2811 or email particle@tsi.com.

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TSI/Alnor Teams Up with AiRNAB

April 15, 2009 - TSI Incorporated, a worldwide leader in HVAC instrumentation is pleased to announce the integration of Alnor Balometer® Capture Hoods and AiRNAB digital documentation system. The new TSI RS-232 Wireless Interface Kit, enabled by AiRNAB, transfers data from Alnor Balometer® Capture Hood Model EBT721 to a wireless PDA. By downloading data into AiRNAB’s documentation system, subscribers can automatically generate test and balance reports.

The Alnor Balometer® Capture Hood is a multipurpose air balancing instrument for reading air volume temperature and pressure in order to balance buildings and verify air flow distribution. The light weight, ergonomically designed product saves time and money while helping to create a healthy and energy efficient indoor environment. Alnor Balometer® Capture Hoods are available in both Electronic and Analog models.

AiRNAB is a digital documentation system that allows air balancing data to be seamlessly shared from the office to the field. The entire test and balance process can be made transparent and paperless - saving time and reducing transcription errors that are introduced when using paper. For more information, visit www.airnab.com.

Andy Stadheim, President of AiRNAB, said, "Teaming up with TSI/Alnor is a natural step in instantly documenting quality measurements for test and balance contractors.”

Serving the HVAC industry since 1919, HVAC technicians can count on the unsurpassed reputation of Alnor instruments for quality and reliability. The long tradition of providing test and balance professionals the tools required to be productive and efficient continues with this new partnership. For more information on Alnor products, visit www.tsi.com/alnor.

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TSI Alnor Wins Reader’s Choice Award

January 25, 2010 -- The TSI |Alnor ABT Balometer® Capture Hood received RSES Journal’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Award.

The Readers’ Choice Award winners are directly determined by RSES Journal’s readers in the form of total inquiries for every product. The top 20 products with the highest number of inquiries are deemed the winners.

The ABT Series Balometer® Capture Hoodsutilizes a low current analog meter with a large, easy to read scale. Fast meter response combined with smooth needle movement allows for quick and accurate flow measurements from supply diffusers and return grilles.

In addition to being honored at the 2010 AHR Exposition, the ABT Series Balometer® Capture Hoods will be featured in the March issue of RSES Journal.

Find out how TSI|Alnor can solve your HVAC needs today. Click here to request information or schedule a demo.

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TSI PortaCount® Respirator Fit Tester Wins 2009 New Product of the Year

October 28, 2009 – TSI PortaCount® PRO and PRO+ Respirator Fit Testers received Occupational Health & Safety magazine’s 2009 New Product of the Year award at the National Safety Council Congress and Expo in October.

TSI President Tom Kennedy comments that “TSI is dedicated to workplace safety by continuing to develop innovative products for occupational health and safety experts.”

The Occupational Health & Safety New Product of the Year Award honors the outstanding product development achievements of health and safety manufacturers whose products are considered to be exceptional in their ability to improve workplace safety. This award has eleven recognition categories, of which TSI won Respiratory Protection. The TSI PortaCount PRO and PRO+ Respirator Fit Testers were both selected in their category among forty other products that were considered for 2009’s New Product of the Year. The Occupational Health & Safety 2009 New Product of the Year Awards were independently judged by three industry experts.

In addition to being honored at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo, the winners will be featured on the Occupational Health & Safety Web site, www.ohsonline.com, and highlighted in the December 2009 issue of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.

Find out how TSI can solve your respiratory protection needs today. Click here to request information or schedule a demo.

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TSI Announces the Next Generation Rotating Disk Thermodiluter

August 1, 2009 - TSI is excited to announce the next generation Rotating Disk Thermodiluter.

Some of the new features and benefits include:
New Diluter Head
• New disk/block coatings and materials to reduce wear and improve lifetime
• New mechanical design to improve durability and simplify operation
• New heating for better control
• New housing (now included as standard) diluter head and limit exposure to hot surfaces
• New features to simplify operation over a wider range of inlet pressures

New Control Unit
• New diaphragm sampling pump replaces pump for better reliability
• New tubing and tubing connectors for simpler and quicker connections
• Additional remote controls
• Sampling pump on/off
• Temperature Control

TSI Rotating Disk Thermodiluter is highly regarded in the field of particle emission measurement. They are especially suited for sampling, diluting, and conditioning exhaust particles from diesel and spark-ignition engines, as well as performing stack emission studies.

Click here for more information!

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TSI, sponsor of the Fit2Fit RPE Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme in UK

August 25, 2009 -  Recent HSE research indicates that up to 50% of all RPE used does not offer the wearer the level of protection assumed and one of the major reasons is that it simply does not fit!

Yet, under the regulations RPE must be correctly selected and this includes, for many types of RPE, a face piece Fit Test conducted by a competent person. So how can you be sure the person conducting the fit test is competent?
In view of these major concerns the British Safety Industry Federation, along with the British HSE and other industry stakeholders have developed a competency scheme for Fit Test Providers. The Fit2Fit RPE Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme for Respiratory Protective Equipment is designed to confirm the competency of any person performing face piece fit testing. Follow the links to find out more: http://www.fit2fit.org and Fit2Fit Scheme Brochure. To take part at a UK FIT2FIT Workshop 1^st and 2^nd October 2009 click: FIT2FIT Workshop. 

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TSI Acquires Certain Assets of Particle Metrics Incorporated

April 7, 2009 -- TSI Incorporated, a worldwide leader in aerosol measurement technology and Research Electro-Optics, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado an industry leading manufacturer of precision optics are jointly announcing that TSI is acquiring certain assets related to the Helium Neon technology of Particle Metrics Incorporated (PMI), an OEM of patented contamination control technology and a wholly owned subsidiary of REO.

This acquisition will enhance TSI’s existing line of advanced aerosol instrumentation. TSI’s President, Tom Kennedy stated, “This acquisition will broaden and strengthen TSI’s ability to serve the contamination control market by offering the most advanced technology available.”

“The asset sale of Particle Metrics Incorporated to TSI aligns with REO’s strategic growth initiatives to concentrate our business in providing world class optical components and assemblies”, stated Terry Moshier, Chairman, CEO and president of Research Electro-Optics, Inc. “REO is also pleased to have a long term supplier relationship with TSI.” Dan Knollenberg has joined TSI and will continue to lead the OEM activity and serve to facilitate the PMI transition to TSI.

TSI continues to show growth initiative in Contamination Control with this addition. Along with a comprehensive line of advanced aerosol instrumentation including the AeroTrak™ handheld, portable and remote particle counters complete with facility monitoring systems, TSI owns first class service centers throughout the world.

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TSI Acquires SystemPlus Technology Pte Ltd

January 21, 2009 ---- TSI Incorporated, a worldwide leader in aerosol measurement technology, announces the acquisition of SystemPlus Technology Pte Ltd., a service center known for high quality service and calibration.

SystemPlus, a multi-vendor service center known for high quality service located in Singapore, is a strategic addition to TSI’s Contamination Control business. SystemPlus meets global industry standards for service and calibration and holds quality certifications including ISO17025 for airborne particle counters.

“The addition of SystemPlus will increase TSI’s capability to meet customer’s service expectations in Southeast Asia,” said Tom Kennedy, president of TSI. “The acquisition will further strengthen TSI’s position in the market and competitive advantage by combining aerosol expertise with high quality local service.”

TSI continues to show growth initiative in Contamination Control with this addition. TSI offers a comprehensive line of advanced aerosol instrumentation including the AEROTRAK™ handheld, portable and remote particle counters complete with facility monitoring systems and service centers throughout the world.

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TSI Gives Back to Health and Safety Community

January 1, 2009 — TSI Incorporated donated over $250,000 in PortaCount Respirator Fit Testers to numerous University and College ABET-accredited industrial hygiene training programs. TSI realizes the importance of the future of Industrial Hygiene, EH&S and Industrial Safety and would like to recognize these programs and aid in their success. These fit testers will allow students to prepare for their graduation and transition into the Professional Health and Safety community.

The PortaCount Respirator Fit Tester quantitatively fit test all types of respirators. It is also a valuable training tool as part of a written respiratory protection program. The PortaCount fit tester can be used in real time fit test mode to show how to determine the optimal make, model and size of respirator for any individual. The real time fit test mode also trains the respirator user how to don a respirator for optimized fit.

Respiratory protection is a critical aspect of course work these programs offer and training on quantitative fit testing is an important part of their instrument lab class. Rick Fulwiler, faculty at a receiving University states, “TSI’s thoughtful donation of PortaCount fit testers will enhance these educational and research programs.”

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New PORTACOUNT® PRO and PRO+ Respirator Fit Testers 

June 2, 2008-  TSI Incorporated announces the worldwide introduction of the PORTACOUNT® PRO and PRO+ Respirator Fit Testers. These new respirator fit testers offer fast, simple, easy-to-use, stand-alone operation and are OSHA-compliant for all respirators. No other respirator fit tester can quantitatively fit test all types of respirators—gas masks, SCBAs, respirators, even N95 disposable (filtering-facepiece) respirators.

Fit Testing that’s fast, easy and accurate -- The PORTACOUNT PRO and PRO+ fit testers eliminate the guesswork associated with tedious and error-prone qualitative fit test methods. A true fit test involves measuring mask fit under conditions that approximate actual use. The PORTACOUNT PRO fit testers measure fit while the user simultaneously performs a series of moving, breathing and talking exercises designed to simulate the same movements made in the field. Both units are quick to set up and easy to operate because they do not require an external computer. The color touch screen allows the user to control the test with a touch of a finger, pen or stylus.

FITPRO™ Fit Test Software makes testing simple. The FITPRO software program automatically leads the user through the fit test protocol step by step. Fit test results are stored in a database for easy report generation, retrieval and regulatory compliance.

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Introducing DUSTTRAK II and DRX Aerosol Monitors

June 1, 2008-  TSI Incorporated announces the worldwide introduction of the DUSTTRAK™ II and DRX Aerosol Monitors. The new DUSTTRAK II and DRX Aerosol Monitors are battery-operated, data-logging, light-scattering laser photometers that give you real-time aerosol mass readings.

These monitors measure aerosol contaminants such as dust, smoke, fumes and mists. They use a sheath air system that isolates the aerosol in the optics chamber to keep the optics clean for improved reliability and low maintenance. Suitable for clean office settings as well as harsh industrial workplaces, construction and environmental sites and other outdoor applications.

Ideal applications include industrial/occupational hygiene surveys, indoor air quality investigations, outdoor environmental monitoring, fugitive emissions monitoring, site perimeter monitoring, dust control operations, environmental research studies, baseline trending and screening, engineering control evaluations, point source monitoring, engineering studies, remote monitoring, process monitoring, emissions monitoring and aerosol research studies.

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TSI's Ultrafine Particle Counter is Choice of DNREC's Nanoparticle Study

November 20, 2009 - TSI’s Ultrafine Particle Counter (3031) is the instrument of choice for a new study conducted by Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Air Quality Management for its ability to continuously monitor and count airborne nanoparticles- a growing health concern for many- for several size ranges.

This detailed information will ultimately provide researchers with clues to identifying sources of nanoparticles, their chemistry, and their behaviors; in addition to a better understanding of the effects nanoparticles may have on our health. Currently, Delaware is only one of three states taking up the lead on this important research, all of which rely upon TSI’s Ultrafine Particle Counter.

For more information on this study, read the article in the recent Air and Waste Matters Newsletter  and/or check out Delaware’s Division of Air & Waste Management website .

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TSI Airflow introduces the Positive and Negative Duct Accreditation System (PANDA)

September 4th, 2009, High Wycombe, UK. - TSI Airflow Instruments announce the introduction of the Positive and Negative Duct Accreditation System (PANDA).

The Positive and Negative Duct Accreditation (PANDA) system provides contractors, commissioning engineers, and research and development technicians with the best in class choice of test equipment to quantify air leakage in ductwork and other areas as well as the ability to measure the performance of ducted systems.

Unique, fast, accurate and easy to use

This unique Duct Leakage Tester is designed to test the full range of pressures, and to conduct both positive and negative duct leakage tests in one rig. The unique performance and fan speed control charge up of duct system to test static pressure within minutes. The PANDA provides a fast, accurate, automated solution and helps to ensure compliance with EN12237, EN1507 and EUROVENT 2/2 standards, enhancing energy savings in buildings. The PANDA fits in the back of vans and estate cars.

Availability of two versions

There are two versions available for the Positive and Negative Duct Accreditation System (PANDA) Model PAN300 Series.

The Model PAN321 includes the Airflow TA460-P Multi-Function Instrument and PVM620 Micromanometer. The Model PAN311 standard is without instruments.

Model PAN321

The Model PAN321 automatically calculates leakage rate in real time and corrects actual volume flow leakage rate to Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP). Pass/fail indication are provided for a given tightness class. Simultaneous displays of flow leakage rate and static pressure and the monitoring of barometric pressure and temperature in real time are further advantages. Information can be data logged and downloaded for report generation and documentation. When coupled with a Model 8934 Portable Printer, the Model TA460-P can print out results of leakage tests.

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Start Seeing the Benefits of Registering Today!

March 24, 2008-  Register your recently purchased TSI instrument today. Occasionally, TSI releases information on software updates, product enhancements and new products. By registering your instrument, TSI will be able to send this important information to you.

As a part of the registration process, you will be asked for your comments on TSI products and services. This gives customers like you a way to tell us how we are doing.

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TSI/Alnor Announces Next Generation of Alnor Analog Balometer® Capture Hoods

May 29, 2009 - From the Worldwide leader in capture hoods used to measure air flow from diffusers and grilles in HVAC systems, TSI is excited to announce the next generation of Alnor ABT Balometer® Capture Hoods.

The Alnor ABT Balometer® Capture Hood tradition continues with the introduction of the new Analog Balancing Tool (ABT) which utilizes a low current analog meter with a large, easy to read scale. Fast meter response combined with smooth needle movement allows for quick and accurate flow measurements.

The Alnor ABT Balometer® Capture Hood is a productivity instrument designed to quickly measure the air flow directly from supply diffusers and return/exhaust grilles. The ABT consists of a fabric hood, hood frame, support rods, and a molded plastic base which contains the analog meter and a flow sensing manifold.

In use, air to be measured is directed past a manifold mounted in the base which senses flow at multiple points spread across a carefully sized area. The manifold is designed to measure air volume on either supply or return outlets mounted in a ceiling, wall or floor with equal accuracy.

Click here for more information on the Alnor ABT Balometer® Capture Hood.

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TSI Customer Service Program Implemented

March 24, 2008-  TSI Incorporated has recently implemented a customer service program, a customer service initiative that allows TSI to build quality partnerships by listening to our customers. With a little help from our customers, we will continue to provide the unparalleled repair and recalibration services you have come to expect from TSI. We would like to hear your comments.

If you are a new customer to TSI take this online survey

If you are a returning TSI customer take this online survey

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NEW PIV-Express Starter Systems Announced

January 1, 2009 - Get on the PIV-Express!

It’s time to get on the Global Imaging super-express with the TSI’s new PIV-Express Starter System!

The PIV-Express Starter System combines the best in scalable imaging performance with the latest .NET based programming technology. You get a bundled system including a PowerView Plus 2MP or 4MP camera and the acclaimed Insight 3G based capture and display software. This is a full-featured starter system for flow visualization and simple flow measurements. Both cameras offer 12 bit image output for high dynamic range and up to 32 frames per second. The PIV Express-2MP gives you 2 megapixels of clean, low-noise imaging capacity for viewing your flow phenomena, while the PIV Express-4MP gives you 4 megapixels of imaging capacity. All necessary cables are included, as well as a Nikon® 50mm lens, so that you can get up and running in a hurry.

To customize the system for advanced applications, you need a double-pulsed YAG laser, synchronizer, and the appropriate Insight 3G processing module(s) for your measurements.

Get on-board now, to get into the age of Global Imaging – at a very attractive bundle price! Save 20% over items purchased separately. Order model PIV Express-2MP for the 2 megapixel system and model PIV Express-4MP for the 4 megapixel version.

For more information, call 800-874-2811 or email fluid@tsi.com

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Click here to access the Critical Environments Solutions Engineering Guide. 

The engineering guide consists of:

• Laboratory Controls
• Hospital Isolation Room Monitors
• Clean Room and Specialty Controls
• Engineering Tools

. 

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 TSI Hosts Tour During 28th Annual AAAR

November 1, 2009- The 28^th annual conference of the American Association of Aerosol Research (AAAR) was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, MN on October 26 – 30, 2009. TSI Incorporated is proud to be an long-time organizational sponsor of AAAR , and have sponsored the annual conference since its inception. A number of TSI engineers and scientists presented work on instrumentation design, research and development and general aerosol science and technology. To all of those who presented on behalf of TSI, we thank you for your hard work and contributions.

AAAR Technical Program Contributors:

Robert Caldow

Brian L. Osmondson

Jim Farnsworth

Xiaoliang Wang

Melissa Grose,

Tony Hase

Jugal Agarwal

Greg Olson

Avula Sreenath

Markus Gaelli

Kathy Erickson

Robert Anderson

Tim Johnson

Chaolong Qi

Stanley Kaufman

Jeff Baker

During the conference, TSI had the opportunity to host nearly a hundred AAAR attendees on atour of TSI Shoreview facilities. Many of TSI’s aerosol enthusiasts came together to walk attendees through TSI, relay some TSI specific aerosol history and provide a bit of information on the breadth of TSI’s product groups. Afterwards, a reception was held to welcome AAAR tour attendees. TSI’s CEO Tom Kennedy greeted the group and during the reception a drawing was held for an 8 GB iPod Touch. Overall, the TSI tour and reception provided a great opportunity to eat, drink and be merry!

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TSI Instruments in Laser Printer Emissions Research

Talk of the town? Laser printers indeed

October 2, 2007-  A recently publicized study led by Professor Lidia Morawska shows average particle number concentration inside a test office is five times higher during working hours than non-working hours. The research team investigated emissions from 62 printers and found 17 to be high emitters. Notably, the leading Australian research team relied on TSI instruments such as Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer, Condensation Particle Counters, P-Trak and DustTrak monitors to investigate particle number and PM2.5 emission characteristics from office laser printers and photocopiers. The results are described in new research published in ES&T (DOI:10.1021/es063049z).

TSI instruments have been part of studies worldwide investigating indoor air quality problems. As the strive for clean air continues, TSI is proud to serve this important area of research.

For more information on this application, click here.

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TSI Wins Innovation Award

TSI PortaCount® PRO and PRO+ Respirator Fit Testers received Occupational Health & Safety magazine’s 2009 New Product of the Year award at the National Safety Council Congress and Expo in October.

TSI President Tom Kennedy comments that “TSI is dedicated to workplace safety by continuing to develop innovative products for occupational health and safety experts.”

The Occupational Health & Safety New Product of the Year Award honors the outstanding product development achievements of health and safety manufacturers whose products are considered to be exceptional in their ability to improve workplace safety. This award has eleven recognition categories, of which TSI won Respiratory Protection. The TSI PortaCount PRO and PRO+ Respirator Fit Testers were both selected in their category among forty other products that were considered for 2009’s New Product of the Year. The Occupational Health & Safety 2009 New Product of the Year Awards were independently judged by three industry experts.

In addition to being honored at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo, the winners will be featured on the Occupational Health & Safety Web site, www.ohsonline.com, and highlighted in the December 2009 issue of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.

Find out how TSI can solve your respiratory protection needs today. Click here to request information or schedule a demo.

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TSI Acquires Adams Instruments and Facility Monitoring Systems Ltd

October 1, 2008 - TSI Incorporated, a worldwide leader in measurement technology, announces the acquisition of Adams Instruments and Facility Monitoring Systems Ltd. (FMS).

Adams Instruments is a developer of world leading remote optical particle sensor technology. FMS is a premier provider of environmental contamination control systems. Together, these acquisitions will create a diverse line of contamination monitoring solutions to compliment TSI’s line of advanced aerosol instrumentation including the AEROTRAK™ handheld, portable and remote particle counters.

TSI’s President, Tom Kennedy stated, “This is the first of several moves that will take TSI to a leadership position within the contamination control and controlled environments markets. TSI will leverage its global resources and expertise in aerosol science and instrumentation to provide customers with best-in-class instruments, monitoring systems and services.”

Adam Giandomenico, former president of Adams Instruments, has led several manufacturers of optical particle counters and environmental monitoring systems in achieving significant growth for more than 15 years. Along with the FMS leadership team, Giandomenico will play an important role as TSI expands its presence in the contamination control market.

Visit here or www.fmonsys.com for more information on TSI's new contamination control product offerings.

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TSI Inc. V3V System is 2008 R&D 100 Winner

July 1, 2008- TSI Incorporated’s Volumetric 3-Component Velocimetry (V3V) System was awarded the prestigious R&D 100 Award on July 1, 2008. The R&D Award is selected by a panel of judges and editors from R&D Magazine, and is judged on design, development, test, and production of the product. It is one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the market place in the past year.

R&D Magazine also posted the V3V video on YouTube. Click here to watch the demo video!

First introduced in September 2007 at the PIV Conference in Rome, Italy, TSI’s V3V™ System allows measurements that include the full three-component velocity field within a truly volumetric region of flow. The V3V system uses a three-aperture, 12 mega pixel camera probe that captures frame straddled images of the volumetric flow region illuminated by the laser. From the fundamental measurement of the three-dimensional, three-component (3D3C) velocity field, other flow parameters such as vorticity and streamlines can be shown throughout the measurement volume. HyperStreaming is featured in the V3V System, allowing images to be transferred directly to the computer at full camera rate without being limited by the RAM storage capacity of the computer. Applications include mixing, hydrodynamics studies, ship propellers and towing tank, biomedical flows, and time-varying flows.

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TSI Creates the Solution for Ultrafine Particle Monitoring

March 7, 2008-  TSI Incorporated has developed the first real solution to monitoring how ultrafine particles can affect our air quality. Ultrafine particles take away more than our vision; they can affect our health as well. TSI offers the solution: Model 3031 Ultrafine Particle Monitor – Simple, long term, maintenance free, remotely managed monitoring of ultrafine particles in our air.

TSI Inc, a worldwide leader in real-time particle measurements, announces the release of its new ultrafine particle monitoring system. The Model 3031 Ultrafine Particle (UFP) Monitor has been specifically designed for long-term, air quality monitoring networks. The UFP Monitor constantly measures the size distribution and number concentration of ultrafine particles between 20 to 500 nm, with six channels of size resolution. The UFP Monitor reports the number concentration for each size channel every 10 minutes. All data is buffered within the instrument, but can be accessed remotely via the Internet or archived periodically as part of the normal routine of the monitoring station.

Developed under the auspices of European Union’s UFIPOLNET project, the UFP Monitor has demonstrated it is well suited for long-term, ultrafine particle monitoring. Since the beginning of 2007, four UFP Monitors have been routinely monitoring ultrafine particles in Stockholm, Dresden, Prague and Augsburg. These instruments continue to provide valuable data about the temporal levels of ultrafine particles and their sources. For more information on the UFIPOLNET project, please visit www.ufipolnet.eu.

The Model 3031 UFP Monitor can be applied to long-term, unattended environmental monitoring for road side measurements, urban air pollution research, epidemiology studies, traffic monitoring and much more.

The key features of the Model 3031 include:
• Long-term, unattended operation
• Low start-up and operating costs
• No working fluids; no radioactive source
• Convenient data management with remote access via the Internet
• Continuous measurements every 10 minutes
• Optional environmental sampling system

For more information, please visit the Ultrafine Particle Monitor

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TSI Launches New Laser Aerosol Spectrometer Model 3340

May 29,2009- TSI Incorporated is proud to announce the launch of the 3340 Laser Aerosol Spectrometer. The Model 3340 is a high resolution multi-purpose airborne particle sizer that can measure particles from 0.09 to 7.5 microns at concentrations up to 18,000 particle/cm3. Complete size distributions are measured in less than a second with up to 100 user configurable channels of data. This instrument features an on-board PC and is suitable for many applications including Filter Testing, Indoor Air Quality Studies, Atmospheric Research and Monitoring, and Inhalation Toxicology and Exposure Monitoring.

In April, TSI, a worldwide leader in aerosol measurement technology and Research Electro-Optics, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado an industry leading manufacturer of precision optics jointly announced that TSI is acquiring certain assets related to the Helium Neon technology of Particle Metrics Incorporated (PMI), an OEM of patented contamination control technology and a wholly owned subsidiary of REO. One of the assets from the acquisition of PMI is the Laser Aerosol Spectrometer.

The acquisition enhances TSI’s existing line of advanced aerosol instrumentation. TSI’s VP of Sales and Marketing, David Stascavage stated, “The Laser Aerosol Spectrometer has a long history and is well known for high resolution and ease of use. The instrument compliments TSI’s broad line of Aerosol Research instrumentation.”

“The asset sale of Particle Metrics Incorporated to TSI aligns with REO’s strategic growth initiatives to concentrate our business in providing world class optical components and assemblies”, stated Terry Moshier, Chairman, CEO and president of Research Electro-Optics, Inc. “REO is also pleased to have a long term supplier relationship with TSI.”

For more information regarding the TSI 3340 Laser Aerosol Spectrometer, click here or contact TSI at 800-874-2811 or email particle@tsi.com.

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V3V™ Captures 3D Vortex Shedding from a Sphere

March 27, 2008-  TSI's patented Volumetric 3-Component Velocimetry (V3V™) system was recently used to capture the volumetric flow structure downstream of a smooth sphere in cross flow. Three-dimensional vortex shedding was quantified in one instantaneous capture from the unique 3D camera in a volume 90 x 90 x 140 mm at Reynolds number 2200. Hairpin-like vortices formed downstream of the sphere and were shed alternately along opposite sides of a plane of symmetry.

Click here for more details on this V3V application.

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TSI’s V3V System Results on YouTube.com

February 17, 2009 - For the first time, you can now view TSI’s V3V System demo and results on Youtube.com.

Click here to view the demo on youtube!

Click here for more information on the V3V System.

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TSI Incorporated awarded GSA contract with the US Federal Government

January 1, 2009 -- TSI Inc. has been awarded a GSA (General Services Administration) Multiple Award Schedule contract, GS-07F-0428U, with the US Federal Government. This schedule 66 contract allows TSI’s government customers to streamline their purchasing of TSI instruments and services. Some of the TSI products available through the GSA contract include the ACCUBALANCE® Air Capture Hoods, AEROTRAK™ Handheld Particle Counters, Certifier FA ventilator tester, IAQ-CALC™ Meter, PORTACOUNT® Respirator Fit Tester, P-TRAK® Ultrafine Particle Counter, and the VelociCalc Series Multi-Function Ventilation Test Instrument.

Federal customers can place orders for TSI Incorporated’s products and services online by searching with the contract number (GS-07F-0428U ) at https://www.gsaadvantage.gov.

About GSA

GSA provides a centralized delivery system of products and services to the federal government, leveraging its enormous buying power to get the best value for taxpayers.Founded in 1949, GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 208,000 vehicles.

GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.

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TSI Particle Instruments Offers QualityGuard™ Service Agreements

September 1, 2008 - World class researches count on TSI to provide quality instruments for results they trust. TSI’s comprehensive line of Particle Instruments is the most reliable and accurate aerosol instruments in the industry.

TSI recently announced the availability of service agreements, which ensures your instruments are properly calibrated and at peak performance, allowing you to achieve your research goals.

The TSI Particle Instrument QualityGuard Service Agreement can be purchased in 1 or 3 year terms and includes:

• Annual factory maintenance and calibration
• Technical support via phone or e-mail
• Return to factory service for any instrument problem as needed
• Factory repair and calibration for TSI particle instruments consists of the following procedures:
• Review written instructions or explanation of problem from customer
• Initial inspection
• Update manual, software and firmware as necessary
• Clean instrument
• Inspect and replace consumable components as needed
• Leak check
• Calibrate flow rates, voltages, and temperature control (if applicable)
• Align optics
• Zero check
• Calibration (if applicable)
• Final electrical checkout and performance verification

For more information regarding the TSI Particle Instrument QualityGuard Service Agreement, download the brochure, or contact TSI at 800-874-2811 or particle@tsi.com

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 Airflow Capture Hood Trade-in Event!

For the list of Airflow Instruments distributors, click here.

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NEW TSI Automated Filter Test Solution for EN 143 

The TSI Automated Filter Testers 8127 & 8130 were designed for the American test method. NIOSH uses these testers for certification measurements and therefore many filter manufacturers supplying to the American market use them for their quality control as well as for the development of new filter media. We thought out a way to modify these testers to give EN 143 equivalent test results. In November 2007, a measurement campaign was run at BGIA (accredited German respirator filter certification laboratory at Sankt Augustin).

Based on the results of the measurement campaign, BGIA approved that the modified TSI 8130 can be used for quality control measurements in accordance with EN 143 (3). Click here to view a copy of the test report and an English translation. Later this year, we plan another measurement campaign with BGIA to add approval for EN 143 certification testing to the approval for quality control testing.

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TSI Helps Investigate Air Quality at Beijing 2008 Olympics 

July 18, 2008- TSI Inc. is supporting the air quality monitoring efforts for the Beijing Olympic Games by providing multiple measurement instruments to sports stadiums, foreign newspapers, TV news stations and research organizations at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. During the bidding process in 2001, Beijing made the agreement with the International Olympic Commission to bring air quality within the World Health Organization standards. Pollution levels remain one of the biggest challenges for the Olympic Games and some athletes have spoken of withdrawing from events because of the health threat.

TSI instruments that have been delivered to Beijing include the Q-Trak™ IAQ Meter, VelociCalc® Air Velocity Meter, DustTrak™ Aerosol Monitor and the SidePak™ Personal Aerosol Monitor.

The Q-Trak’s state-of-the-art sensors measure indoor air quality conditions including carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity and carbon monoxide. The Q-Trak will be used to ensure indoor air quality in all public environments, satisfying World Health Organization standards. The VelociCalc Air Velocity Meter measures indoor air flow and temperature and will be used extensively at the National Badminton Stadium to ensure the system is functioning at design specifications as well as meeting energy conservation requirements. The badminton courts are also being tested for draft, a very important parameter for badminton matches.

The DustTrak Aerosol Monitor measures airborne particles, which is a major cause of Beijing’s pollution. TSI dust (or aerosol) monitors measure aerosols in a wide variety of environments, from industrial settings to outdoor construction sites. The BBC has been reporting daily air quality measurements taken with the DustTrak Aerosol Monitor as well. The SidePak is a lightweight, belt mounted laser photometer that displays and data logs dust concentration in real time. The Beijing Health Inspection team is using the SidePak for walk-in spot testing at every sports ground during July.

Also, TSI has supplied a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer,™ an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer® and the Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor to researchers at Cornell University and Peking University for a four year study that began in 2006. The study monitors ultrafine particles in the Beijing air. Recently delivered, an Ultrafine Particle (UFP) Monitor is set to start monitoring in August 2008. The UFP Monitor will generate a continuous record of toxic ultrafine particles concentrations before and during the course of the Olympic Games. The UFP Monitor has been specifically designed for long-term, air quality monitoring. The UFP Monitor has been designed under the auspices of the European Union’s Life project, part of the Clean Air For Europe (CAFE) initiative that has been in effect since 2001.

In addition, a Model 8130 Automated Filter Tester was purchased by the Beijing National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test respirators and face masks that will be used by first responders in emergency incidents during the Beijing Olympic Games such as terrorist attack, chemical or biochemical attack.

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TSI partners with Dycor to win Rheinmetall contract

TSI Incorporated, a worldwide leader in biodetection technology, is supplying a key component to the system that Dycor Technologies Ltd., of Edmonton, Canada will provide under contract to Rheinmetall Landsystems. TSI supplies Fluorescence Aerosol Particle Sensors (FLAPS) to Dycor’s advanced biological agent detection and sampling system, for integration into Rheinmetall’s Fuchs biodetection reconnaissance vehicles. These vehicles, to be delivered to the United Arab Emirates are the world’s first exclusively biodetection-focused, fielded reconnaissance vehicles.

TSI’s Model 3317 (FLAPS) is the core of this system. It provides three real-time measurements of individual airborne particles. These measurements, when processed using appropriate alarm algorithm techniques, deliver exceptional agent discrimination and interference rejection response for biological threat detection applications. Integrated within Dycor’s integrated biological agent warning system, the FLAPS serves as the fast-responding sensor to initiate sample collection and identification techniques to confirm or reject a biological condition.
Visit here for more information

For more information on Dycor’s biological agent detection and sampling system, visit www.dycor.com

For more information on Rheinmetall’s Fuchs vehicle, visit www.rheinmetall-defence.com

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TSI Instruments LTD. Opens New Facility in the UK

 July 15, 2008 - TSI Instruments Ltd. announces the opening of a new Operation and Service Center at a new location in High Wycombe, UK.

This facility is nearly double the size of the previous High Wycombe location and allows TSI to expand its capabilities to include repair and service on many instruments that were previously required to be sent to the US. As a result, TSI will be able to provide a much faster service turnaround for European customers for a larger variety of TSI instruments.

The opening of this facility represents the completion of another step in TSI’s plan to focus its resources and investments into a single, centralized location to better serve European customers. TSI is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of service capability and delivery, and opening the new High Wycombe facility is a major milestone in accomplishing those goals.

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V3V™ System – Volumetric 3-Component Velocimetry

September 11, 2007-  The V3V™ System is the only 3-dimensional, 3-component (3D3C) velocity measurement system for your complex 3-D flows in a true volumetric domain. Once the image of your 3-D flow field is captured, you can see the velocity results in seconds, rather than minutes, thus allowing you to DISCOVER your instantaneous flow field quickly and accurately. The patented Camera probe in the V3V System uses three apertures to obtain the locations of the seed particles in the 3-D domain up to 140 mm by 140 mm by 100 mm. With 12 million total pixel resolution it is not only powerful but also simple to use. It is as easy as point and shoot, with no need for focus adjustment or complex alignment procedures. The measurement of 3-Components of velocity in a truly volumetric region using the V3V System is all you need for your flow measurements.

Click here for V3V product info.

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