The real-time detection and rapid facility systems response to chemical and biological (CB) threat agents is essential to both the protection of building occupants and the maintenance of critical system operations. We propose a unique and transformational strategy to a new sensor approach with the potential for seamless integration with facility systems to form a rapid, robust, accurate and fully integrated environmental and security control systems, based upon our recent technological advances.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), Prof. Velipasalar and SyracuseCoE will work with colleagues to develop a low-cost, high-accuracy sensor platform that accurately detects human presence inside buildings to dramatically reduce energy use in residential settings. The sensor will pair a low-resolution optical camera (which inherently preserves privacy) with an infrared sensor, microphone and low-power processor to understand its surroundings and determine human presence with a goal of reducing HVAC energy usage by 30%.