Research

NexGenPPT studies the hazards that firefighters, first responders, and workers face and develops the protective equipment that reduces them. Our work falls into four areas. Each area combines laboratory measurement, field data, computational modeling, and product design.

Fire Smoke and Firefighter Exposure AI SAFEHAND: Glove Sizing and Fit Thermal Protection and Comfort Functional Textiles and Healthcare PPE

Fire Smoke and Firefighter Exposure

Firefighters are exposed to smoke containing ultrafine particles, metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Fires involving plastics and lithium-ion batteries increase the toxicity of this smoke. In our laboratory, we generate realistic smoke using the ACCESS platform, characterize its chemical composition, assess deposition on protective equipment, and evaluate decontamination methods. We also develop passive samplers to monitor personal exposure and investigate the impact of wildfire and battery fire events on indoor air quality.

Projects and research streams

  • Hazards of lithium-ion battery fire smoke. FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant, 2024.
  • Combating firefighter contamination: cleaning methods for contaminated gear. FEMA, $1.57 million.
  • Iowa Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Exposure Reduction Program. Statewide program with the University of Iowa and Iowa fire service partners, launched 2026.
  • Passive sampling for personal exposure assessment. Silicone composite samplers for PAHs, metals, and PFAS.
  • Smoke aging, digital twin modeling, and smoke–cell–lung interaction. AI-aided modeling and toxicology with Iowa State engineering and biology collaborators.
  • Indoor air quality during wildfire and battery fire events. Sensor networks and filtration performance.

Selected publications

AI SAFEHAND: Glove Sizing and Fit

Poorly fitting gloves diminish both dexterity and protection, yet structural firefighting gloves are typically available in a limited range of sizes. AI SAFEHAND, a FEMA-funded initiative, develops an artificial intelligence-based hand measurement tool. Firefighters photograph their hands using a mobile device, and the application estimates hand dimensions to recommend an appropriate glove size. The project utilizes 3D hand scanning, an expanding hand anthropometric database, and machine learning techniques. Findings from this research inform glove sizing standards and guide manufacturer design decisions.

Projects

  • AI SAFEHAND app: camera-based hand measurement and glove fit recommendation. FEMA. App coming soon; sign up for updates on the Participate page.
  • 3D hand scanning and AI hand measurement. Iowa State postdoctoral seed grant, 2023.
  • Firefighter glove expectations survey. Open to firefighters and first responders.
  • Glove fit, dexterity, and local microclimate. 3D scanning of glove fit and its effect on hand function.

Selected publications

Thermal Protection and Comfort

Protective clothing must block heat, flame, and cold while allowing the body to release heat and moisture. The movement of heat and moisture between the body, clothing layers, and the environment is measured, and computational models of human thermoregulation are developed with a focus on the hands. Gloves, hoods, and garments are evaluated using instrumented manikins, sweating hand devices, and exposure to flame and radiant heat. Machine learning techniques are applied to predict thermal resistance based on material properties. A CDC-funded project extends this research to commercial fishing gloves used in cold and wet conditions.

Projects

  • Hand protection for commercial fishing in cold–wet conditions. CDC. Focus group interviews with commercial fishermen are under way.
  • Computational modeling of hand thermoregulation in cold environments. Iowa State postdoctoral seed grant, 2022.
  • Firefighter hood design and performance. Surveys of firefighters and purchasing managers; Graduate and Professional Student Senate Research Award, 2025.
  • Machine learning prediction of glove thermal resistance. Models that predict localized thermal resistance from material and construction data.

Selected publications

Functional Textiles and Healthcare PPE

Healthcare workers require protective equipment that effectively blocks pathogens, maintains comfort during extended shifts, and can be safely reused. In collaboration with partners at UC Davis and the University of Cincinnati, we are developing self-decontaminating fabrics and advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) systems for healthcare workers as part of a $1.8 million CDC-funded project. Our related research includes antimicrobial nanofibers that retain efficacy after repeated use, respiratory protection solutions for pandemic scenarios, and functionalized materials designed for chemical and biological protective clothing.

Projects

  • Self-decontaminating fabrics and PPE for healthcare workers. CDC, $1.8 million, with UC Davis and the University of Cincinnati.
  • Reusable antimicrobial nanofibers. Core–shell ε-poly-L-lysine and polyamide-6 fibers that stay active after 21 days and repeated use.
  • Functionalized materials for chemical and biological protective clothing. Metal–organic framework coatings.
  • Respiratory protective devices for pandemics. Book published 2024.

Selected publications

Research facilities

Six laboratories support this work, from flame and heat testing to clothing comfort and nanoscale thermal measurement. Manufacturers and agencies can request testing through our Test Service.

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