Scientists have developed a new type of sensor for wearable devices that could help people detect hazardous gases in real time.
This breakthrough could lead to smartwatches, clothing, and other wearable gadgets that monitor air quality and alert users to dangerous pollution levels.
A team of researchers from University College Cork (UCC) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) developed the new sensor technology, which was recently published in ACS Applied Nano Materials.
Air pollution is a major concern for both public health and the environment.
One particularly dangerous pollutant is nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which comes from fuel combustion, industrial emissions, and even gas cooking.
Exposure to NO₂ can cause:
❌ Short-term effects – Breathing difficulties, coughing, and irritation.
❌ Long-term effects – Serious respiratory diseases after prolonged exposure.
To protect people from these risks, organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Commission have set limits on how much NO₂ people should be exposed to. However, accurately measuring NO₂ in real time remains a big challenge.
Most existing NO₂ sensors are not suitable for wearable devices because they:
- Require expensive equipment to function properly.
- Are too large or too complex to be integrated into small gadgets.
- Do not operate effectively at room temperature.
To solve these issues, scientists have been working on cheaper, more flexible, and efficient alternatives.
Professor Justin Holmes, Deputy Director at AMBER Research Centre, explained that his team is developing ultra-thin sensor materials that can be printed onto flexible plastic (PET) surfaces.
These materials are lightweight, affordable, and transparent, making them perfect for use in wearable devices like smartwatches and clothing.
“At AMBER, we aim to improve air quality monitoring by developing flexible and scalable sensor technology,” said Professor Holmes. “This could allow individuals to track their exposure to harmful gases in real time.”
Recent wildfires in the United States, Europe, and North Africa have released large amounts of hazardous gases into the air. Fires in Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Algeria in 2023 burned not only forests but also homes, industrial buildings, and vehicles, releasing toxic emissions.
Because air pollution has no borders, wearable air monitors could help people protect themselves wherever they go. By providing real-time alerts, this new technology could allow users to avoid exposure to dangerous pollutants and make more informed decisions about when and where to be outdoors.
This next-generation sensor technology could transform how we monitor air pollution—helping individuals stay safer and healthier in an increasingly polluted world.
