A novel device that combines a chemical sensor with a sensitivity of 200 ppb and indoor tracking with an accuracy of +/- 15 cm has been developed. This personally worn device can pinpoint the time, place, and task during a chemical vapor exposure in real-time, thereby empowering both the user and safety management in exposure assessment. This was accomplished using state of the art miniaturized sensors and radio waves for both telemetry and radio-locations. In theory, the lone laboratory worker will now have the ability to make emergency contacts that provide location with an automated alert calling for outside help. The device has the acronym CEMWIP for Chemical Exposure Monitor with Indoor Positioning.<br/><br/>The sensor is a miniaturized photoionization detector for volatile organic compounds that can detect 200 ppb of VOC. CEMWIP also contains a temperature and humidity sensor. Telemetry sends the sensor data to a remote laptop. An ultra-wide band RF beacon in the CEMWIP and environmental antennas measures the time difference of arrival and angle of arrival of the RF signals for calculating location. Real-time measurements are transmitted each second to a remote laptop display. VOCs, temperature, humidity, location and time are measured in real-time and stored. The CEMWIP method was tested in a chemistry laboratory using a Roomba robot to carry the device. The system detected chemical releases above background level with their location.

Personal chemical exposure sensor with indoor positioning and robotics for laboratory safety

254th National Meeting (2017)

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