Researchers have created a new portable tool that may significantly enhance the way firefighters tackle blazes, making the operation safer and more effective.
Researchers have created a new portable tool that may significantly enhance the way firefighters tackle blazes, making the operation safer and more effective.
This device serves as a substitute for conventional firefighting methods such as harmful chemical foams or hydrants, which can put a strain on water supplies. It uses the power of conductive aerosols—tiny particles capable of conducting electricity—to help suppress flames.
These aerosols are propelled by vortex rings, which are small, donut-shaped air currents that turn the particles into rapid pulses of wind that can convert surrounding oxygen into ozone. When released, the fast-moving airflow creates turbulence, disrupting the combustion process and quickly extinguishing the fire, explained John LaRocco, the study’s primary author and a research scientist at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
“By combining electricity with vortex ring technology, we discovered a more effective way to tackle an environmental challenge, enhancing our quality of life,” LaRocco stated.
The launcher looks like a small bucket mounted on an arm brace. Firefighters direct the bucket towards the flames, where it uses bursts of compressed air or an elastic diaphragm to release aerosols in an electric arc against the fire.
The conception of this safe, affordable, and portable device began as an effort to refine existing fire management strategies, noted Qudsia Tahmina, a co-author of the study and an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering.
The initial phase of the study was to identify the best chemical combinations for the conductive aerosols. After testing seven mixtures in two trials, the most conductive—made from coarse copper—was selected as the material for the vortex rings. Once simulations indicated that the device could effectively suppress fires, researchers aimed to enhance the launcher’s efficiency.
To achieve this, they evaluated two prototype versions: one that utilized compressed air with a conical muzzle to create vortex rings, and another with an elastic diaphragm and a square-edged muzzle that also produced vortex rings.
The tests indicated that while the compressed air design was significantly more efficient than the elastic diaphragm model, both had an effective range of nearly 2 meters (about 6.5 feet).
“We were truly impressed by the invention in both cases,” LaRocco remarked.
The study has recently been published in the journal Technologies.
In real emergency situations, a number of these devices may be necessary based on the size of the fire and the number of firefighters present.
“Our Vortex Launcher has a fundamentally straightforward design,” noted John Simonis, another co-author and an electrical and computer engineering undergraduate. “This simplicity is advantageous as it allows for scalability.”
“It’s adaptable for tight spaces, enabling easy navigation through doors and indoor locations, but it’s also large enough to effectively generate those vortex rings,” he added.
Since vortex rings maintain their structure even as they disperse, they can deliver chemical agents over greater distances, offering a distinct advantage that enhances firefighter safety by allowing them to stay further away from the flames.
The research suggests that this tool could be advanced further by incorporating multimodal sensors or image analysis, which would assist the launcher in targeting fires from various sources, Simonis noted.
Additionally, the technology could have potential applications in industrial automation and aerospace, providing fire protection for military vehicles and spacecraft interiors.
“Our device has numerous applications that could make a real difference,” Simonis concluded.
