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Small sensors about the size of a postage stamp could one day save the lives of firefighters, soldiers and other workers who face the threat of toxic gases or vapors on the job. 

A project of 91�ֿ�’s Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, the sensor development recently was awarded a state Workforce Safety Innovation Grant from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. (BWC) 

Marianne Prévôt, Ph.D., an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, is the lead researcher on the project, awarded nearly $600,000, to help create a prototype of the sensor with the hopes of having a device that can be marketed commercially within a few years.

Prévôt said the small, light sensor is mountable, which makes it perfect for use by first responders, such as firefighters, the military, or any profession where workers could be exposed to harmful gases, such as mining. It is designed to be mounted to a shield, uniform or other gear.

When toxic fumes have been detected, the sensors change light transmission to show a skull and crossbones symbol. However, because they are customizable, they can also be modified to have an element disappear if exposed to the gas, rather than appear, based on the client’s preferences. 

Prévôt said she expects that military usage, to detect the use of chemical weapons, could be one of the be the first large commercial uses for the sensor. 

Previous research grants allowed for consultation with first responders, who said they would be highly interested in purchasing and using the sensor if they were available, she said. 91�ֿ� is working with the Ohio Lumex Company Inc., in Solon, Ohio, an industry leader in gas monitoring technology to develop the technology. 

“We saw a need,” Prévôt said. “Finding a solution is what fuels our passion.” 

Research for the project has been ongoing within the institute since 2012 and was begun by Torsten Hegmann, Ph.D., director of the institute, and Elda Hegmann, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences. 

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“This funding provided by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation allows us to continue to refine and advance our zero-power liquid crystal-based sensor technology, now under the lead of Dr. Prévôt,” Hegmann said. “The goal of this technology development is to reduce the threats of both acute and chronic exposure and ultimately save the lives of first responders exposed to dangerous toxic gases and vapors in the State of Ohio and beyond.” 

Collaborating with Ohio Lumex gives the institute’s team “the opportunity to learn how to transition an idea from the prototypes we make and test in the lab to marketable technology,” Hegmann said. 

BWC awarded the grant through its (WSIC) to advance worker safety in Ohio. It was one of five grants awarded to researchers or projects across Ohio. 

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In awarding the grants, the center noted: “The project addresses the critical need for real-time monitoring of toxic gases and vapors, ensuring the safety and well-being of first responders. The project’s innovative approach aims to combine wearability, customizability, and versatility on a flexible printer sensor platform. The sensors can be incorporated into visors, helmets, protective gear, wristbands, vehicles, lockers, or buildings.” 

“The impact of these innovations can extend beyond state borders with the potential to set new national standards for worker safety,” said WSIC Chief Sandi Golden-Vest. “These grants fuel our deliberate methodology to transform ideas into practical solutions. They also reinforce our commitment to advancing workplace safety and fostering a culture of innovation that prioritizes the well-being of Ohioans while they labor to build a brighter future for our state.” 

In a news release, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said of the grant recipients, “We are delighted to collaborate with these exceptional recipients who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to enhancing health and safety for the workforce.  Each project represents a stepping stone toward a safer work environment, and we look forward to seeing the transformative impact of their innovation solutions.” 

WSIC, in collaboration with the grant recipients and their Ohio-based industrial partners, is driving personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal protective technology (PPT) innovations with the potential to safeguard the health and well-being of Ohio’s workforce with their individual projects. 

“We are investing in innovators and collaborating with industry partners to drive tangible outcomes for our workforce in Ohio. The development of groundbreaking PPE and PPT products will assist BWC with our goal of reducing workplace injuries and keeping Ohioans safe on the job,” said BWC Administrator/CEO John Logue. 

Prévôt, a native of Paris, France, has been at 91�ֿ� for seven years. She came here to serve as a postdoctoral researcher working on various liquid crystal materials, and this year was named a full-time faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.  

Prévôt said she came to 91�ֿ� for the opportunity to work at the liquid crystal institute because of its prestigious reputation and that of its researchers. 

Prévôt also served as a sensor research engineer and manager of the institute’s X-ray scattering facility, training researchers from academia and private industry on how to operate this state-of-the-art equipment.