Frequent and fast assessment of air quality is critical to identify and address potentialexposure to toxic gases that may impact health. However, current methods for monitoring toxicgases have significant disadvantages that discourage users. Platypus Technologies has developeda customizable solution for quantitative assessment of gaseous air pollutants which is simple andlow-cost for the consumer market, yet it is robust and highly accurate, allowing for applications inprofessional industrial hygiene. Our novel platform for detection and measurement of toxic gases consist of threecomponents: (1) disposable sensor chips that produce an optical change when exposed to a specifictoxic gas, (2) a reusable, wearable electronic badge, with wireless capabilities, that reads the opticalstate of the sensor chips and alerts the user of the presence of noxious gases, and (3) a softwareapplication for remote communication with the badge, data visualization and data logging. Thismulti-gas monitoring platform produces visual, auditory, and vibratory alarms when noxious levelsof toxic gases are detected, enables accurate measurements of gaseous air pollutants, allows foreasy documentation of exposure data, and does not require maintenance or calibration. Having developed successful prototypes of the technology, we aim to leverage priorinvestments in the company and, through this Fast-Track SBIR project, finalize development toaccelerate commercialization of these technologies. We focus the next phase of our work onselected gases relevant for air quality at home, outdoors, and in the workplace: formaldehyde,hydrogen sulfide, and peracetic acid. However, successful completion of the goals defined on thisproject will facilitate subsequent commercialization of additional sensor chips for other airpollutants (e.g. ozone, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorine, etc.). In Phase I, we aim todevelop repeatable and scalable fabrication processes that enable measurements of toxic gases withaccuracy requirements in line with federal and industrial standards. In Phase II, we aim todemonstrate robust device performance over diverse field environments, and to assess useracceptance of the technology. Platypus Technologies aims to usher a new paradigm in air quality monitoring by offeringsimple, inexpensive, and reliable tools to measure toxic gases. These technologies will enable fast,frequent air quality monitoring that could lead to improved knowledge of toxic gas exposure athome and in the workplace, and in turn accelerate decision-making on personal air quality.
Public Health Relevance Statement: Identification of toxic air pollutants and personal exposure monitoring are two essential actions to
mitigate health risks, but current technologies do not meet the needs of citizen scientists or
industrial hygienists. Frequent and fast air pollution analysis could enable widespread air
monitoring, leading to improved knowledge of toxic gas exposure at home and at work, and
enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their lives and the lives of those around
them. Platypus Technologies aims to usher this paradigm shift in air quality monitoring by
offering wearable, simple, inexpensive, and reliable tools to measure toxic gases.
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