Smartphones now capable of detecting gas

Last week the DHS Science and Technology division showcased its latest invention, a smartphone capable of detecting dangerous gases.

With Cell-All, individuals as well as emergency responders can now count on their smartphones to alert them when toxic gases are present.  

The device is capable of issuing an alarm to wake the phone’s owner, sending a text message to warn emergency contacts, or dialing 911 if dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide are detected.

Currently only a Bluetooth version is available for public trial and evaluation, but developers expect the device to be directly integrated into cell phones in the next eighteen months.

In addition to the civilian model, DHS Science and Technology researchers have developed Chem-Tag, a version made specifically for first responders to detect carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen cyanide.

Working in conjunction with the Domestic Preparedness Center, Chem-Tag was developed to detect a range of harmful gases and is built to withstand high temperatures and moisture, two common elements in burning buildings.

Chem-Tag is expected to be available for trial in the next six months. It is currently a self-contained unit, but developers hope to incorporate the sensors into a firefighter’s suit.

In addition to carbon monoxide detection and emergency responder threats, the Cell-All Initiative is developing more than 100 other prototypes of the devices that range from protecting employees at chemical plants to nail salons.

With the increasing ubiquity of smartphones, researchers hope that eventually there will be enough gas detection sensor equipped phones to create a vast network of sensors that could help protect large crowds. Having such a large network would help reduce the number of false positives with multiple signal validation and would widen the capabilities of a sensor network beyond stationary unites.