Biomimetic Sensors

[deleted-291856]

Hi!
I was wondering; does the gel(synthetic in a biomimetic sensor actually absorb carbon monoxide? I did some research but I'm having trouble discerning whether or not the biomimetic sensor works by absorbing the carbon monoxide or simply in the presence of a concentration of carbon monoxide.

Additionally, if the biomimetic sensor's gel does absorb the carbon monoxide, would any one here know if the gel would act as sort of container for carbon monoxide, so that carbon monoxide would not be able to reach a human's bloodstream?


Thank you

[SciB]

Hi,

You did not give a reference to the type of biomimetic CO sensor you are talking about, but I will assume that you are talking about the one described here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_detector

As I understand it the biomimetic sensor is supposed to act the same way as the hemoglobin in the blood which chemically reacts with CO and turns dark. This chemical reaction is only slowly reversible and makes the hemoglobin unable to carry oxygen. That is how CO kills you. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning

There is a chemical called a chromophore in the biomimetic CO detector that reacts with CO and changes color. This color change is registered using light from an LED and some kind of light intensity detector, I would assume.

The chromophore in a biomimetic CO detector has to react with the CO gas which means the CO chemically binds to it and changes it into a colored compound or a darker compound. That is why the sensor has to be replaced if the CO detector is exposed to CO. The sensor gel absorbs a small amount of the CO in the air but not enough to protect you from poisoning. The purpose of the detector is to warn you so that you turn off whatever is generating CO, open the windows to dissipate the gas and get out of the room.

Does this answer your questions? If not, post again and we will try to help.

Sybee

[deleted-291856]

Thank you, and yes it did.

I have another question, however (it's a wild idea) do you think in a situation (like a house fire or something) if spraying synthetic hemoglobin everywhere would significantly reduce the chances of a person trying to escape the house from dying from CO poisoning?


Thanks!

[SciB]

Hi,

Glad my answer was helpful to you.

I understand what you are getting at and I think it could work, but rather than spraying something like hemoglobin around to reduce the CO, it would be better to have a mask that you could put over your nose to absorb the CO and other gases in the air that you breathed in. Firemen do use respirators for some fires where toxic fumes are present. If your house catches fire, hopefully your smoke detector will alarm and warn you to get out quickly so you won't breathe the smoke. If you were in a smoke-filled house, then a protective mask with a chemical that absorbs CO and smoke might save your life.

If everyone installed smoke detectors and CO detectors in their homes and did not try to have an unventilated fire inside or run a gasoline engine in a closed garage, then there would be fewer CO fatalities.

Sybee

Sybee