Design of an optical gas sensor for aircraft cabin air contaminants

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The proposed project aims to develop a photonic gas sensor which can be worn by aircraft crew members and will continuously monitor the cabin for airborne contaminants, namely the organophosphates (triaryl phosphates (TAPs) and tricresyl phosphates (TCPs)). These contaminants can enter the aircraft cabin through engine bleed air during normal operation, but larger concentrations may be present in the cabin air if any engine seals are old or broken. Of main concern are the neurotoxic by-products of several common hydraulic fluids, which can be produced by thermal decomposition in the aircraft engine, that have been shown to cause acute and chronic neurological and respiratory symptoms. Due to lack of a sufficient monitoring device there is urgent need for a low-cost, compact and wearable device in order to address an existing safety and health need in the airline operation. The current project aims to develop and test of a prototype gas sensor capable of monitoring and early warning and detection of TAPs and TCPs contaminants in the range of 5 to 600 ppb.