An Ultra-Low Power Handheld Device for Analysis of the Post-Fire Environment

KWJ proposes to develop an ultra-low power and low cost, handheld device for monitoring of post-fire air quality, including DHS target toxic gases, combustion gases, CO2, LEL and particular matter (PM). The proposed device will significantly improve the current air monitoring instrumentation of protecting fire responders from hazard post-fire environment. Current multi-gas analyzers are not suitable for field applications, either providing insufficient toxic gas analysis (only 4-6 gases), or large, heavy and with a slow analysis time. An additional sampler is required to collect PM information. KWJ possesses several patented sensor techniques for manufacturing small, ultralow power (microwatts per sensor) yet high performance gas sensors: printed amperometric sensor, MEMS sensors and compact multi-channel sensor chips. Integrating these innovative gas sensors with a compact PM detector, KWJ will be able to develop a device that offers a broad range of sensing requirements in a single, highly portable and low power package for personnel safety in the post-fire environment. In Phase I, KWJ will thoroughly evaluate commercially available gas sensors and KWJ sensing technique, choose corresponding KWJ advanced sensing technique, select candidates of CO2, LEL and PM detectors, fabricate ultra-small, ultra-low power printed sensors and compare their performance with commercial sensors, and lay out the detailed design of the proposed device. The prototypes of the device will be built in Phase II and tested in the field.