Autonomous Electromechanical Gas Detection Microsystem for Mine Safety

描述（由申请人提供）：尽管安全不断改进，法规不断增加，但地下矿山仍然是一个非常危险的工作环境，最近在萨戈（2006年）、达比（2006年）和克兰德尔峡谷（2007年）矿山发生的灾难就是明证。正如矿山安全技术和培训委员会所建议的，需要新的、成本效益高的技术来加强矿井内的监测。我们建议开发关键的传感器，仪器仪表和数据分析技术，这些技术将被集成，形成一个小型化的智能电化学气体分析系统（iEGAS），以满足矿山安全应用的需求和挑战。不同技术领域的重大创新将在以下具体目标内协同结合：1）开发和表征用于检测和量化多种矿井气体的小型化电化学传感器阵列，2）设计和优化用于自主操作的紧凑型电化学仪器电子器件和智能算法，3）集成和表征用于矿井安全监测和危险状况预测的模型多气体电化学微系统。通过创新的电化学传感器阵列方法，室温离子液体和导电聚合物膜将被开发用于检测多种矿井气体。一个创新的仪器芯片将实现多种电化学测量技术，使一个非常紧凑，低功耗的iEGAS系统的微系统实施。新的高效传感器阵列数据分析算法将使特定气体的浓度能够在混合气体环境中准确测量，并提供模式识别，以生成对矿山安全决策至关重要的信息。所提出的微系统提供了显着的优势，现有的气体传感器。它将测量与火灾和爆炸有关的所有气体（CH4，CO，CO2，O2）以及有害废气（NO，NO2，SO2）。它将智能分析传感器数据，以预测危险情况，报告警报并帮助规划逃生路线。自主的iEGAS系统可以部署在矿工身上，也可以部署在矿井内的固定位置，进行长期监测，而无需用户输入或培训。它将是廉价的，超紧凑和重量轻，易于携带的矿工和救援队。它将利用标准接口与现有的矿井基础设施或无线矿井通信手机进行通信，以实现高度分布式、移动的、多气体监测网络。坚固的传感器平台具有固有的抗振动、烟雾、湿气和其他常见地雷干扰的能力，传感器将针对可变的环境条件（温度、湿度）进行内部校准。拟议的iEGAS系统的操作模型将在实验室中实施和表征，其中气体浓度和环境参数可以精确控制，以模拟地下矿井内的条件范围。多学科调查小组将在整个项目期间与矿山安全专家进行磋商，以确保开发的技术满足采矿业的需求。 公共卫生相关性：在美国和世界各地，矿山历来为工人提供危险的环境。我们建议开发一种创新的自主电化学气体检测微系统，用于矿山安全，使分布式长期监测多种气体和预测地下矿山的危险条件。如果成功，该项目将产生重大的科学和实际影响，可以通过防止爆炸或火灾来挽救生命，可以减少矿工的健康问题，并可以保护数十亿美元的采矿资产。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Despite continued safety improvements and increased regulations, underground mines remain a very dangerous work environment, as evident from recent disasters at the Sago (2006), Darby (2006), and Crandall Canyon (2007) mines. As recommended by the Mine Safety Technology and Training Commission, new, cost- effective technologies are needed to enhance monitoring within mines. We propose to develop key sensor, instrumentation and data analysis technologies that will be integrated to form a miniaturized intelligent electrochemical gas analysis system (iEGAS) tailored to the needs and challenges of mine safety applications. Major innovations in diverse technical areas will be synergistically combined within the following specific aims: 1) Develop and characterize a miniaturized electrochemical sensor array for detection and quantification of multiple mine gases, 2) Design and optimize compact electrochemical instrumentation electronics and intelligent algorithms for autonomous operation, 3) Integrate and characterize a model multi- gas electrochemical microsystem for mine safety monitoring and hazardous condition prediction. Through an innovative electrochemical sensor array approach, room-temperature ionic liquids and conductive polymer membranes will be developed for detection of multiple mine gases. An innovative instrumentation chip will implement multiple electrochemical measurement techniques to enable a very compact, low power microsystem implementation of the iEGAS system. New, highly efficient sensor array data analysis algorithms will enable concentrations of specific gases to be accurately measured within a mixed-gas environment and provide pattern recognition to generate information critical to mine safety decision making. The proposed microsystem offers significant advantages over existing gas sensors. It will measure all gases linked to fires and explosions (CH4, CO, CO2, O2) as well as hazardous exhaust gases (NO, NO2, SO2). It will intelligently analyze sensor data to predict hazardous conditions, report alerts and aid escape route planning. The autonomous iEGAS system can be deployed with miners or at fixed locations within a mine for long-term monitoring without user input or training. It will be inexpensive, ultra compact and lightweight, easily carried by miners and rescue teams. It will utilize a standard interface to communicate with existing mine infrastructure or with wireless mine communication handsets to realize a highly distributed, mobile, multi-gas monitoring network. The robust sensor platform is inherently resistant to vibration, smoke, moisture, and other common mine interferents, and sensors will be internally calibrated for variable environmental conditions (temperature, humidity). An operational model of the proposed iEGAS system will be implemented and characterized in a laboratory where gas concentrations and environmental parameters can be accurately controlled to mimic the range of conditions within underground mines. The multidisciplinary team of investigators will consult with mine safety experts throughout the project to ensure the developed technologies meet mining industry needs. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Mines have historically presented dangerous environments for workers, in the United States and worldwide. We propose to develop an innovative autonomous electrochemical gas detection microsystem for mine safety that enables distributed long-term monitoring of multiple gases and predictions of hazardous conditions in underground mines. If successful, this project will have substantial scientific and practical impacts, could save lives by preventing explosions or fires, could reduce health problems for mine workers, and could protect billions of dollars of mining assets.