SEN-16474 Particle Sensor Breakout Board SparkFun SEN-16474 MAX30101 Particle Sensor Board is a flexible, powerful sensor enabling sensing of distance, heart rate, particle detection, and even the blinking of an eye. The MAX30101 has three LEDs and a very sensitive photon detector. The idea is to pulse the LEDs and then detect what shines back. Based on the reflected signature it’s possible to detect different types of particles or materials (such as oxygenated blood or smoke from a fire).