Laser rescue system for serious accidents
Conventional rescue systems more and more often reach their limits with modern materials. Photo: Stadt Dortmund – Institut für Feuerwehr- und Rettungstechnologie
In the past 25 years, the number of road traffic deaths has been drastically reduced, and the number of severely injured persons decreased significantly, too. Among others, the declining figures are due to improved passive safety. The use of high-tensile steel and composite materials adds to this.
Time as a decisive factor
The higher vehicle stability achieved by using these materials, however, becomes a problem in the event of an accident. Because the available rescue systems, such as power, plasma or hydraulic rescue cutters require a lot of time to cut the car body, or they even fail in individual cases. Time, however, is crucial during a rescue mission. The faster a person is freed, the higher the chances to survive.
Using the laser at the accident site
This is where the project comes in: A compact laser unit shall be developed that can be used when conventional rescue tools reach their limits. With this system it shall be possible to cut modern materials in a short time, or to broach them so that they can be cut faster with conventional tools.
Moreover, it shall be investigated within the scope of the project how the safe use of the laser at the accident site can be guaranteed. Here, it is also being checked, for example, which shut-off devices are required for the system. In addition, the scientists evaluate which measures must be taken to protect the rescue team, the accident victim and uninvolved third parties. This includes curtains, mats and protection glasses.
Diversified consortium
The partners from many different sectors ensure that all relevant aspects are considered. Project partners of the LZH are: Coherent (Deutschland) GmbH, SGE Spezialgeräteentwicklung GmbH, WEBER-HYDRAULIK GmbH, eifeler Lasertechnik GmbH, LASERVISION GmbH & Co. KG and Stadt Dortmund – Institut für Feuerwehr- und Rettungstechnologie.
Associated project partners are: Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und -medizin, Berufsgenossenschaft Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse, DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung GmbH, DEKRA Automobil GmbH, GuS – Präzision in Kunststoff, Glas und Optik GmbH & Co. KG, Bundesanstalt Technisches Hilfswerk, Unfallkasse NRW and Volkswagen AG.
The project is being sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the scope of the program “Civil safety – innovative rescue and safety systems” until October 2019.
Media Contact
More Information:
http://www.lzh.de/All latest news from the category: Transportation and Logistics
This field deals with all spatial and time-related activities involved in bridging the gap between goods and people, including their restructuring. This begins with the supplier and follows each stage of the operational value chain to product delivery and concludes with product disposal and recycling.
innovations-report provides informative reports and articles on such topics as traffic telematics, toll collection, traffic management systems, route planning, high-speed rail (Transrapid), traffic infrastructures, air safety, transport technologies, transport logistics, production logistics and mobility.
Newest articles
NASA: Mystery of life’s handedness deepens
The mystery of why life uses molecules with specific orientations has deepened with a NASA-funded discovery that RNA — a key molecule thought to have potentially held the instructions for…
What are the effects of historic lithium mining on water quality?
Study reveals low levels of common contaminants but high levels of other elements in waters associated with an abandoned lithium mine. Lithium ore and mining waste from a historic lithium…
Quantum-inspired design boosts efficiency of heat-to-electricity conversion
Rice engineers take unconventional route to improving thermophotovoltaic systems. Researchers at Rice University have found a new way to improve a key element of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems, which convert heat…