Wearable Sensor Badge For Toxic Industrial Chemicals

Abstract

A wearable sensor badge utilizes a carbon nanotube (CNT) sensor array for selective sensing of chemicals from naturally diffused air or by sampling air using a pump/fan for higher sensitivity. An embedded microcontroller monitors the resistance of the sensing elements and by using an advanced detection algorithm the presence of TICs and/or CWAs are identified.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A sensor assembly for a wearable sensor device, comprising:
 a sensor assembly housing sized for mounting on a person or personal protective equipment;   at least one air aperture opening to an interior of said sensor assembly housing;   an air flow channel connected to the at least one air aperture opening;   a sensor array at least partially disposed in the air flow channel;   an air pump connected to the air flow channel and oriented to create a flow of air past the sensor array; and,   sensor circuitry, including a microcontroller, that is configured to control and analyze the sensor array and the air pump.   
     
     
         3 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a data outlet exposed on an exterior of the sensor assembly housing. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of sensors that each face into the air flow channel. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein sensor circuitry is configured to execute chemical detection algorithms and control alarm functions. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the air pump is a fan oriented to blow air through the air flow channel. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor array is removably connected to the sensor circuitry and is user removable and replaceable within the sensor assembly housing. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor array comprises one or more carbon nanotube sensors and wherein the sensor circuitry monitors resistance values of the sensor array, and wherein the one or more carbon nanotube sensors are each a single walled carbon nanotube that have a chemical functional group selected from carboxylic acid (—COOH), octadecylamine (ODA), m-polyaminobenzenesulfonic acid (PABS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), amide (—CONH2), nitro phenyl SWNT (SWNT-ph-NO 2 ), and amino phenyl SWNT (SWNT-ph-NH2). 
     
     
         9 . The sensor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor array and the sensor circuitry are configured to detect at least one of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, chlorine. carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen cyanide, phosphine and methyl bromide, GA (tabun), GB (sarin), HD (sulfur mustard), and VX (nerve agent). 
     
     
         10 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor array and the sensor circuitry are configured to detect at least one of gas, vapor, and aerosol forms of toxic chemicals. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of sensors that each face into the air flow channel, and wherein the air pump is a fan positioned perpendicularly within the air flow channel. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor circuitry further comprises a communication device configured to communicate data with an external system. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor circuitry further comprises a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, or a VOC sensor. 
     
     
         14 . A sensor assembly for a wearable sensor device, comprising:
 a sensor assembly housing sized for mounting on a person or personal protective equipment;   an air flow channel having a first aperture and a second aperture that both open externally of the sensor assembly housing;   a sensor array at least partially disposed in the air flow channel; the sensor array being comprised of one or more carbon nanotube;   an air pump at least partially disposed in the air flow channel and oriented to create a flow of air past the sensor array;   sensor circuitry, including a microcontroller, that is configured to control and analyze the sensor array and the air pump; and,   a data outlet exposed on an exterior of the sensor assembly housing and connected to the sensor circuitry.   
     
     
         15 . The sensor assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more carbon nanotube sensors are each a single walled carbon nanotube that have a chemical functional group selected from carboxylic acid (—COOH), octadecylamine (ODA), m-polyaminobenzenesulfonic acid (PABS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), amide (—CONH2), nitro phenyl SWNT (SWNT-ph-NO 2 ), and amino phenyl SWNT (SWNT-ph-NH2). 
     
     
         16 . The sensor assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor circuitry further comprises a communication device configured to communicate data with an external system. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of sensors that each face into the air flow channel. 
     
     
         18 . A sensor assembly for a wearable sensor device, comprising:
 a sensor assembly housing sized for mounting on a person or personal protective equipment;   an air flow channel that forms two openings externally of the sensor assembly housing;   a sensor array at least partially disposed in the air flow channel; the sensor array being comprised of one or more carbon nanotubes;   an air pump connected to the air flow channel and oriented to create a flow of air past the sensor array;   sensor circuitry, including a microprocessor, that is configured to control and analyze the sensor array and the air pump; and,   a data outlet exposed on an exterior of the sensor assembly housing and connected to the sensor circuitry.