Every year, there are about 50,000 people who are rushed to the emergency room because of carbon monoxide poisoning, 430 of these people end up in death. Because the gas is colorless and odorless, victims are mostly unaware of their exposure until they show symptoms.
Fortunately, avoiding and detecting dangerous gases could soon be as easy as checking one's wristwatch or a reader on their smartphones. A team of researchers from Tufts University has developed a chemically dyed thread that has the capability to change colors when it is exposed to different toxic gases, visually alerting the wearer.
The researchers explained that the wearer will not only know that a dangerous gas is present in the air, he will also be able to identify what the concentration exactly is. The color change can vary in intensity and depth because the dyes work in different ways as it detects the difference between gases.
Although the innovative product, dubbed by the researchers as "Smart Thread," would not be able to replace current designs of mechanical and electric detectors, it would definitely eliminate the need for extensive training. Determining the noxious gas present in the air will require only the mastery of the color-coded system and its equivalents.
The possibilities posed by the potentially life-saving dyes can be used in different situations. Among these are for professionals that work in risky environments such as oil or gas excavation. It can also be used in residential application such as carbon monoxide leaks.
Other than just physically looking at the treated garments, the dyed materials can also be scanned and analyzed using smartphones for a more precise reading, most especially when there is more than one type of gas present in the air at a single moment.
The innovative and high-technology development of the Smart Thread also entailed the researchers to make sure durability will not be an issue. The dyes were sealed inside the treads with the use of a polymer material.
Clothing or gears made with Smart Thread can be washed and reused over and over, all the while maintaining its function. The researchers added that the endurance of the material is even capable of detecting gas underwater such as ammonia.
Among the toxic gases that Smart Thread is able to detect are ammonia, hydrogen chloride, and carbon monoxide. Unlike carbon monoxide, both ammonia and hydrogen chloride are not odorless, however, both are corrosive and can damage body cells when in contact.
