# Development/Commercialization of a Sensing Device to Detect Vaping

> **NIH NIH R44** · FRESHAIR SENSOR CORPORATION · 2020 · $830,874

## Abstract

Development/Commercialization of a Sensing Device to Detect Vaping
Summary
The use of e-cigarettes or vaping has been steadily increasing since its introduction.
While potentially a tool to wean cigarette smokers from combustible tobacco, one
consequence of the introduction of these devices has been the adoption of vaping by
adolescents. While companies that offer vaping instruments for sale note that their
material is directed to adults and intended as an aid for smoking cessation, recent
reports have demonstrated that middle school and high school students in many
countries, some as young as thirteen, have taken to vaping. Data analysis from a 2015
study in the U.S. indicated that 16% of high school students and 5% of middle school
students reported vaping in the past thirty days. Most researchers speculated that the
number of users would increase from these baselines and evidence indicates that this
prediction is correct. Anecdotal evidence indicates that vaping in middle school and high
school bathrooms is a major problem.
FreshAir Sensor currently sells tobacco and marijuana smoking sensors along with
24/7 monitoring of the devices. The company has leveraged the knowledge of sensor
development to produce preliminary components of an early stage sensing system
capable of detecting vaping. Preliminary data to demonstrate this accomplishment is
provided. The fast track research described in this proposal will enable the optimization
of the sensor as well as commercialization of the resulting instrument in minimal time.
The need to reduce and eventually eliminate adolescent vaping is urgent. The
deployment of the proposed device in schools and other educational institutions will
eliminate vaping during school hours and will, therefore, contribute to improvements in
the overall health of adolescents by curtailing nicotine intake.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10092402
- **Project number:** 4R44DA049595-02
- **Recipient organization:** FRESHAIR SENSOR CORPORATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph James BelBruno
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $830,874
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10092402

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10092402, Development/Commercialization of a Sensing Device to Detect Vaping (4R44DA049595-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10092402. Licensed CC0.

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