Reviewed by Lexie CornerFeb 3 2025
A multidisciplinary team of researchers from AMBER and CRANN, including scientists from University College Cork’s (UCC) School of Chemistry and Trinity College Dublin’s (TCD) School of Physics, has developed sensor technology for wearable air quality monitors capable of detecting exposure to hazardous gases. The study was published in ACS Applied Nano Materials.
Air quality affects ecosystems, human health, and overall environmental conditions. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a byproduct of fuel combustion, industrial emissions, and gas cooking, is a significant air pollutant with known health risks. Short-term exposure can lead to respiratory irritation, while prolonged exposure is associated with chronic respiratory conditions. Regulatory agencies such as the European Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have established exposure limits to mitigate health risks.
Despite advancements in gas sensor technology over the past two decades, challenges remain in improving sensitivity, selectivity, real-time monitoring, and room-temperature operation. Most existing NO2 sensors are not suitable for integration into wearable devices.
Current NO2 detection methods often rely on expensive instrumentation, underscoring the need for cost-effective sensor technologies that enable large-scale monitoring of this pollutant.
At AMBER, we are actively developing 2D material networks on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, we aim to leverage their flexibility, affordability, and transparency to enhance wearable technologies for real-time air quality monitoring and advanced sensing in smartwatches, clothing, and beyond.
Justin Holmes, Researcher and Deputy Director, School of Chemistry, University College Cork
In addition to damaging foliage, large-scale wildfires in 2023 on the U.S. West Coast and in Europe (Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Algeria) destroyed homes, businesses, and vehicles. Early detection of hazardous gas emissions from such events remains challenging. As atmospheric pollutants disperse beyond localized areas, there is an increasing demand for cost-effective, scalable technologies such as personal air monitors.
The research team from Trinity College Dublin was led by Jonathan Coleman, the Erasmus Smith Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy (1724), with contributions from Leonidas Tsetseris of the National Technical University of Athens and Zdeněk Sofer of the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague.
Journal Reference:
Urs, K., et al. (2025) Exfoliated Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheet Networks as Sensing Materials for Nitrogen Dioxide Detection. ACS Applied Nano Materials. doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.4c05066.