The Living Sensor 1.0 project addresses the urgent need to develop innovative technologies for analyzing chemical warfare agents, particularly their toxicological impacts on human organs such as the eyes and lungs. Despite international regulations, the risk of these substances being used, for example in terrorist scenarios, remains high. There is a significant demand for precise, human-relevant data to assess their toxicity and exposure durations, as animal testing is both ethically controversial and scientifically limited in its applicability to humans. As part of the project, organ-on-a-chip systems are being developed that use living human tissue cells as highly sensitive biosensors. This technology allows for realistic investigations of chemical warfare agents under laboratory and field conditions. The goal is to gain insights into tissue-specific effects that are crucial for risk assessment and the development of effective protective measures. In the long term, mobile and autonomous units equipped with these sensors are envisioned to be deployed in hazardous zones to safeguard troops and civilians.

The project contributes to the reduction of animal testing and promotes sustainability through the use of resource-efficient technologies. It is part of an interdisciplinary collaboration between research institutions, the Austrian Armed Forces, and industry partners to strengthen national and international defense research.