Karmactive Team
Ohio State University researchers have created a device that fights fires without water – using electrically charged air instead. This bucket-sized tool brings a new approach to firefighting technology.
The device shoots rings of air carrying copper particles. These rings create turbulence that converts oxygen into ozone, disrupting the combustion process and extinguishing fires. In tests, it worked from 6.5 feet away – letting firefighters stay safer than with traditional hoses.
“Using electricity and vortex ring technology, we found a more efficient way to solve an environmental problem,” says lead researcher John LaRocco. The team tested seven different mixtures across two trials, with a coarse copper solution proving most conductive for the vortex rings.
Traditional firefighting faces clear challenges. Water supplies can run low during major fires. Chemical foams leave toxic residue in soil and water. This new approach avoids both issues while giving firefighters more mobility in tight spaces.
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The research team built two versions: one using compressed air, another using an elastic membrane. The compressed air model proved more effective at creating fire-stopping wind rings. “The design is really simple in nature,” says John Simonis, an engineering student on the project. “That simplicity makes it scalable” – meaning it could be adapted for different fire sizes and situations.
However, questions about real-world implementation exist. Multiple devices would be needed for larger fires. The 6.5-foot range, while safer than traditional methods, might limit its use in some scenarios.
The technology could protect military vehicles and spacecraft from fires. Researchers are now adding smart sensors and image analysis capabilities to help the device target fires from various causes more effectively.
This innovation aims to give firefighters an additional tool in their arsenal. The research, published in Technologies journal in 2024, marks a step in exploring new firefighting methods.
