The Atmospheric Redox Exchange Sensor Project, also known as the Wearable CO₂ Sensor Project, centers on developing a compact, head-mounted system capable of monitoring atmospheric gas exchange in real time. The system integrates multiple client-supplied CO₂ sensors onto custom printed circuit boards (PCBs), enabling precise and parallel environmental measurements. To support flexible data handling, sensor readings are recorded directly to an onboard SD card, allowing the collected data to be easily extracted, transferred, and formatted into Excel for streamlined analysis. In addition, a Bluetooth interface enables a mobile device to wirelessly control key system functions—including initiating and stopping data collection, operating the air pump, and managing stored measurements—further enhancing the device’s usability and responsiveness.
A major focus of the project involves designing a lightweight, ergonomic head-mounted apparatus capable of supporting multiple PCBs while ensuring comfort and stability during use. The system is complemented by a backpack-mounted assembly that houses the primary electronics and power components, supported by two separate batteries—one dedicated to the motor and one to the electronic subsystem—to ensure stable, uninterrupted operation.
Development progresses through several stages, including sensor evaluation and calibration, digital interface design, wireless communication implementation, SD-card data logging integration, PCB development, and full system testing. The overarching goal is to deliver a functional, precise, and user-friendly atmospheric monitoring system that provides accurate real-time data while showcasing substantial improvements over previous microgravity CO₂ measurement platforms.
The Atmospheric Redox Exchange Sensor Project, also known as the Wearable CO₂ Sensor Project, aims to address the challenges of accurately monitoring localized gas exchange in microgravity environments. In space stations, the absence of buoyant forces prevents exhaled CO₂ from rising and dispersing, causing it instead to accumulate around an astronaut’s face and increasing the likelihood of re-inhalation. Existing sensor systems designed to study this phenomenon are limited by slow sampling rates, insufficient environmental measurements, and a lack of real-time data transmission capabilities. Additionally, current devices are often bulky, uncomfortable, and impractical for extended use, highlighting the need for a more portable, efficient, and user-centered solution.
This project seeks to resolve these limitations by developing a lightweight, head-mounted monitoring system that integrates multiple client-provided CO₂ sensors onto custom PCBs for precise and parallel measurements. Key innovations include an onboard SD card module for direct data logging and seamless export into Excel, as well as a Bluetooth-controlled interface enabling a mobile device to manage system functions such as starting and stopping measurements and operating the air pump. The complete system incorporates a backpack-mounted electronics assembly powered by separate batteries for the motor and sensor components, ensuring stable operation and enhanced mobility. Through stages of sensor calibration, wireless communication development, PCB integration, digital interface design, and comprehensive testing, the project aims to deliver a fully functional, real-time atmospheric monitoring platform that significantly improves the accuracy, usability, and efficiency of microgravity gas-exchange studies.