Protecting Lives: OSU Researchers Develop Game-Changing Earthquake ‘Smoke Alarm’

An earthquake shakes your home, but everything stays intact. Imagine if bridges, skyscrapers, and historic buildings could also remain safe. This is the goal of a new device being developed at Oklahoma State University (OSU).

Dr. Priyank Jaiswal, a professor at OSU’s Boone Pickens School of Geology, started working on the idea after a significant earthquake in Pawnee, Oklahoma, in 2016. “I thought about creating something like a smoke alarm for buildings,” he said. “What if there was a system that alerted homeowners about structural issues?”

With funding from the National Science Foundation, Jaiswal teamed up with Dr. Mohamed Soliman, a civil engineering professor, to develop “Intact,” a device about the size of a shoebox. Users simply clamp it to the foundation of a structure. It connects to WiFi, collects data, and sends this information to a server. This allows homeowners to monitor their building’s stability over time.

“Our mission is to educate and empower,” Jaiswal explained. By having access to real-time data, owners can take timely action. For example, in the tragic 2021 Surfside condominium collapse in Florida, 98 lives were lost. Jaiswal pointed out that if a similar device had been in place, the building’s management could have received alerts about structural shifts months in advance, allowing for safe evacuations.

As they work to commercialize Intact, Jaiswal and Soliman are testing the device in churches in Latin America, particularly at the Cholula Pyramid site in Mexico. This ancient site, built on unstable ground, has shown signs of wear over the years. Jaiswal noted the importance of ensuring such landmarks remain safe for communities that rely on them for cultural identity.

Interestingly, a recent survey by the International Association of Structural Engineers found that 68% of people believe their homes are not adequately protected against natural disasters. This highlights the growing need for technologies like Intact as climate change increases the frequency and severity of earthquakes and other natural events.

While cultural heritage sites often get overlooked, they are vital for tourism and community pride. Jaiswal envisions Intact being used in various structures, from homes to skyscrapers. “I dream of having this in every building around the world,” he said. “It may take time, but we’ll get there.”

As we face more natural disasters due to climate change, innovations like Intact may be crucial in protecting our structural integrity and saving lives.

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