Cell Phone Sensors

Similar to the concept of hazardous plume sensors, but on a broader scale and potentially focused on other hazards and substances, the concept of sensors embedded in cell phones and deployed in a ubiquitous manner is one of the long term visions put forth by the Department of Homeland Security.

Cell phones with chem-bio detection capability can perform sensing tasks that are not practical any other way. Today, all cell phones sold in the US have GPS capability. A versatile micro-sensor capable of detecting a wide range of chemical and bio substances, and embedded in millions of cell phones, would provide a ubiquitous sensing capability that is not achievable any other way. The Department of Homeland Security sees a cell phone-based “All Ubiquitous Chem/Bio Detection” capability as one of their desired “High Impact Technology Solutions” for the future.