An OFF-to-ON shape memory polymer conductor for early fire disaster alarming

Casualties and severe damages of environmental resources resulted from wildfires are to some extent caused by belated evacuating personnel and fighting fires. It is considered that if the timely detection of the high temperature signal can be achieved in the early stage of fire disaster, the duly rescue actions brought by the early fire alarming can extensively avoid casualty accidents and the detrimental fire spread. Therefore, in this work, we fabricate a cross-linked polycaprolactone (PCL) network, and based on its shape memory property and subsequent electroless deposition process, we prepare a smart conductor with ability of switching between nonconductive and conductive at low and high temperatures respectively. Outdoor experiments present that this electrically OFF-to-ON conductor can effectively respond to a fire and play a crucial role in early fire alarming under simulated fire scene. The finite element analysis simulation results further prove the advantages of this material over the traditional thermocouple in detecting temperature changes.

Automated summary

The casualties and damages caused by wildfires can be avoided if high temperature signals are detected early and prompt rescue actions are taken. In this study, a smart conductor with the ability to switch between conductive and non-conductive states at different temperatures was developed. Outdoor experiments and finite element analysis simulations showed its effectiveness in early fire alarming.