Each year, more than 8 million people die from diseases caused by air pollution—a staggering 13 people every minute. As such, air quality monitoring is a critical concern, especially in hazardous environments and disaster response scenarios. However, current technologies used to assess air quality are often costly and insubstantial. In the wake of disasters like the recent Los Angeles wildfires or Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina, access to air quality data is often limited and inadequate—increasing risk for disaster response teams and citizens alike. Researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) are working on a solution: AirPen™.
Led by Professor John Volckens from CSU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, the AirPen™ project aims to develop a discreet, wearable, and self-contained air quality monitor designed for deployment alongside disaster response teams during emergencies to enhance safety and decision-making in high-risk environments.
“We are trying to develop a technology that empowers us to identify and quantify air quality risks in the wake of a disaster,” Volckens said.
In its current form, AirPen™ allows disaster response teams to collect air quality data for further analysis in a lab setting. However, with funding from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant Program, Volckens and his team are enhancing the technology to offer real-time data collection and analysis. These advancements will allow users to access comprehensive and reliable air quality data instantly, significantly improving safety conditions for first responders and workers in hazardous environments.
The AirPen™ integrates real-time sensors with a sampler that captures physical air samples, ensuring immediate and thorough analysis. With the support of the OEDIT funding, the team is working on several enhancements, including reducing the device’s size for increased portability; extending battery life beyond its current 12-14 hours to allow for longer deployments; and improving cellular radio performance for better data transmission and real-time analysis. With the ability to detect air contaminants within minutes, the device could be a game-changer for environmental monitoring.
AirPen™ devices have already been deployed in real-world conditions, including recent wildfires in Los Angeles. The feedback and data collected from these deployments will help further refine the technology, ensuring it meets the demands of first responders and other stakeholders.
Access Sensor Technologies, a Colorado-based startup, is providing matching funds for this project. The company is dedicated to reinvesting its profits into Colorado by working with local engineering consultants, machinists, and circuit builders to manufacture AirPens for commercial use.
As AirPen™ continues to evolve, its impact on environmental safety and air quality monitoring has the potential to be immense. With the support of OEDIT funding and local industry partners, this innovative technology is on track to transform the way air quality is monitored in disaster zones and hazardous environments, ensuring safer conditions for those on the front lines.
Volckens was one of five grant recipients of the 2024 Advanced Industries Proof of Concept grant program. Advanced Industries funds are provided to CSU through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade with the goal of accelerating commercialization of innovations with high potential for creating economic impact in the state of Colorado.
Learn more about the grant program at csustrata.org/technology-transfer/ai-poc-grant and see all 2024 winners at csustrata.org/news-article/five-csu-researchers-awarded-more-than-half-a-million-in-funding.
This story is the second in a series of features highlighting the winners of the 2024 Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant Program. Check out our blog and subscribe to our newsletter for future stories in the series.