Environmental Health Monitor: Advanced Development of Temperature Sensor Suite

Heat stress is a significant contributor to both battlefield and non-battlefield injuries and performance degradation among both military and civilian personnel, particularly in hostile environments requiring protective attire. Recent field studies indicate that the performance of heat-strain decision aides and predictive models generally improves with the quality of meteorological inputs. The purpose of this Phase II Small Business trinovation (SBtR) Research Program has been to conduct advanced development of a self-contained suite of sensors capable of measuring, storing, and downloading upon command selected environmental temperature parameters related to heat-stress characterization.. One prototype sensor suite has been delivered that provides near real-time measurement of four environmental parameters (ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and radiant energy) in a form suitable for use as input to heat-strain predictive models. The battery-operated, pocket-sized, hand-held sensor suite features an innovative anemometer design that can be operated in a pulsed mode to conserve energy and extend operational life. This unique approach to wind speed measurement has been combined with system modularity, innovative design and packaging concepts, the incorporation of recent advances in electronics and the identification and integration of low-cost, commercial, off-the-shelf components to achieve desired reductions in unit cost, weight, size and power consumption.