Pure gear

Final Pure Gear Sketch
Closed
how opening the mechanism works
Decontamination graphic
Closed
Bottom Unit
Bottom Handle and food rest to assist with expanding
Open with gear inside
Handles and vents

Project overview

Problem Firefighters are three times more likely to develop cancer due to prolonged exposure to carcinogens that enter the body through their pores and accumulate in their gear, which absorbs smoke and toxic chemicals from fires. As a result, cancer has become the leading cause of death in their profession. Solution We created a collapsible ozone decontamination chamber designed to remove carcinogens and smoke residue from firefighters' turnout gear. This system utilizes an ambient ozone generator. This portable, easy-to-use solution ensures that firefighters can quickly & effectively cleanse their gear, reducing prolonged exposure to toxic substances and lowering their risk of developing cancer.

Target users and their needs.

Target User: Firefighters Pain Points & Challenges: -Cancer & Toxic Exposure Risks -Firefighting gear absorbs carcinogens, increasing cancer risks. -Current decontamination methods remove most but not all contaminants, and this process takes a significant amount of time Needs: -A quick, easy-to-use system that removes carcinogens more thoroughly than soap and water. -Can be used on-site, reducing exposure before returning to the station or other calls.

Technical design features and how they meet user requirements.

Collapsible Ozone Decontamination Chamber Need: Need a portable and easy-to-use solution for decontaminating their gear quickly between calls. Solution: The collapsible design allows the ozone chamber to be folded for easy storage and transport, making it perfect for fire stations with limited space

Ambient Ozone Generator (Corona Mechanism + UV Bulbs) Need: Firefighters require an effective decontamination process that can neutralize carcinogens and smoke particles deeply embedded in their gear. Solution: The ozone generator utilizes ambient air, passing it through a high-voltage corona mechanism and ultraviolet bulbs to convert O₂ into O₃. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that targets and breaks down toxic substances, where traditional washing or scrubbing cannot reach.

Major iterations and design inspirations.

Our first idea was to create a carcinogen detector to notify firefighters of cancer-causing substances on their skin/gear.

User story/walkthrough on how the solution is used in real scenarios.

After answering a call firefighters need to decontaminate as quickly as possible, since Pure Gear can be stored in a fire truck, this process can be completed sooner -Unfold the Collapsible Chamber -Load Gear into the Chamber by securing it to the clip -Start the Ozone Treatment by closing the doors -Wait for Carcinogen Destruction -Remove the Decontaminated Gear -After use, fold the chamber back down to its compact size for easy storage.

Real-world feasibility, including manufacturability and materials used.

To support portability, we used lightweight aluminum. Our design includes many repeatable parts for easier manufatuing

Future improvements and next steps.

Sensor Feedback: Incorporate sensors that can analyze and report the level of contamination in the gear before and after decontamination. This would allow firefighters to adjust the cycle time based on contamination severity and further ensure a more customized cleaning process. User Feedback Collection: Use focus groups and surveys from fire departments to gather insights on the usability and any challenges faced with the current prototype. Address specific pain points such as weight, setup time, or potential areas for improvement.