John P. Peeters, Ph.D., is the President and Founder of Gentag, Inc.

Could you give a general description of Gentag’s technology?

Gentag’s technology combines reader capabilities for both active and passive sensors on low cost wireless devices like cell phones. The battery of a cell phone can be used to power an active sensor continuously, even when the cell phone is turned off. Gentag’s has patented a “smart” removable cell phone sensor module. An example might be a carbon monoxide sensor that would detect levels of CO in a home, a car or a work environment. If a dangerous level of CO is present, the cell phone wakes up and immediately notifies the owner. If a person is interested in CO detection then that function can be added onto a cell phone equipped with a sensor module slot. In addition to this capability Gentag is working with the wireless industry to integrate RFID readers in cell phones.

Gentag also uses low cost, passive (battery-less) RFID sensors. An application example of our patented technology is a passive RFID temperature “smart” skin patch that can monitor directly the temperature of a child or patient using a cell phone. Such wireless sensors can be produced for $1 as a finished product.