This paper presents the implementation of a wearable wireless sensor network aimed at monitoring harmful gases in industrial environments. The proposed solution is based on a customized wearable sensor node using a low-power low-rate wireless personal area network (LR-WPAN) communications protocol, which as a first approach measures CO 2 concentration, and employs different low power strategies for appropriate energy handling which is essential to achieving long battery life. These wearables nodes are connected to a deployed static network and a web-based application allows data storage, remote control and monitoring of the complete network. Therefore, a complete and versatile remote web application with a locally implemented decision-making system is accomplished, which allows early detection of hazardous situations for exposed workers.

Microcantilevers have been recently revealed as highly effective sensing platforms for gas detection at trace level. However, one of the main limitations hindering their widespread deployment for commercial applications is related to the complexity of the read-out systems. A portable low-power electronic interface capable of creating the excitation signal as well as obtaining the response values of resonating Si microcantilevers functionalized with zeolite based coatings has been developed in this work. The accuracy and reliability of the electronic interface have been assessed by comparison with commercial lock-in amplifier´s measurements. The prototype performance has been validated for 2-nitrotoluene (o-MNT) detection at ppm level, as an example of an explosive-related molecule. Theoretical limit of detection (LOD) values below 100 ppb have been obtained for Co exchanged BEA modified microcantilevers.

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