Odor-Free Underwear Coming Soon to a Retailer Near You
smell posts
Researchers Aim to Detect Skin Cancer Via Scent
Here's an interesting one. A group of US experts have discovered that a common form of skin cancer could one day be detected very early on by simply analyzing scents. More specifically, it was found that basal cell carcinomas give off an odor that is distinctly different than samples from healthy skin, which obviously opens up the possibility for "cheap and painless testing." In the future, researchers are hoping to create scent profiles for other types of skin cancer, including the infamous malignant melanoma. Believe it or not, a machine may be only one of the devices used to eventually sniff cancerous cells -- similar research is ongoing using live canines and their remarkably sensitives schnozes. [From: BBC]
Electronic Nose Could Put Sniffer Dogs Out of Business
Scientists are developing an electronic nose that could be used in a myriad of situations to detect drugs, bombs and other nasty stuff. The invention could spell the end for sniffer dogs, who may become obsolete once this flashy new technology hits the market.
The electronic nose, or 'doggy dream killer,' as we like to call it, will be able to sense a "smell at extremely low concentrations ranging from parts per billion to parts per trillion and will be able to detect dozens of different odors." The nose will be made up of a thin film formed out of zeolite, which is a substance used in petroleum refinement. The film will capture gas molecules, (which create smell) and that information will be processed by sensors and computer software to identify just what the smell is.
Sure, it can do all that, but can it pee on the lethal substance once it detects it?
We thought not! [Source: CNN]
Deodorizing Suits Help You Beat the Heat
Scent-Emitting Advertising Trial Sniffs Out Suckers in Japan
The goal is to attract onlookers and get them to grab a nearby coupon book, but considering that the experiment shuts down on August 1st, you should probably get your nose down there in a hurry if you're looking to score some savings. [Source: TechOn!]
Scented Movies Coming to a Theater Near You
"Listen -- you smell something?" That's one of Dan Ackroyd's classic lines in 'Ghostbusters'. Imagine if you could actually smell what he was smelling. You don't have to imagine any more, because Boston artist Megan Dickerson has added the missing scent to films such as the aforementioned as well as a few others. Using scented oils and fans, she has already put on showings of 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' that allow participants to smell things like schnozberries and bananas at appropriate points in the film. The concept is nothing new. Back in the late '90s, a company called DigiScents added scents to the Internet with a USB-controlled device that used cartridges much like a printer does. In fact, odor tech dates back to the 1950s with something called Smellovision, which used tubes to deliver odors to each seat.
Like many other '50s-era theater-immersion concepts (seats with shockers, vibrating cushions, and, of course, 3-D), Smellovision never really took off. Nowadays, however, theaters are struggling to find ways to capture moviegoers' interest, and this updated smell tech may be poised for a comeback.
For now, Dickerson's scented rendition of 'Willy Wonka' is playing in Boston only, and this fall she hopes to expand her playlist with a few more scent-related films. 'Jackass', anyone? Please, just stay away from the trash compactor scene in 'Star Wars?'
They say that smell is our most powerful sense in terms of conjuring emotion, so it would only make sense that entertainment and tech companies get on board. We recently reported about experiments to add scent to books -- surely, books and movie won't be the last mediums to try and tap into this most-important human sense.
From AOL News (AP)
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Mucus Boosts Robo Noses
'Short Circuit' star Johnny Five and his robot ilk inched one step closer to being alive today.
When it comes to replicating human senses in machines, scent is the hardest -- something British researchers at the University of Warwick and Leicester University have been struggling with as they attempt to create a better artificial nose for sniffing out bombs and toxic pollutants. The answer, it turns out, was collecting in their own noses.
By slapping a thin layer of artificial polymer-based mucus onto their faux-sniffer, the scientists figured out they could greatly increase its sensitivity. For the first time, a robot nose is able tell the difference between milk and cream, which was previously impossible.
But, worry not. Human enslavement to our olfactory-enhanced robot overlords is still years off. The most advanced sniff machine deciphers smells with only 12 sensors, compared to our five million. Still, it wouldn't be bad idea to have some spoiled milk around when they do rise up.
From BBC News
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