E-nose will assess the type and intensity of the bad odor

A device created by scientists from the Gdańsk University of Technology – the E-nose – can detect the source of unpleasant odors in just a minute. Thanks to special sensors, it doesn't become accustomed to the surrounding odor like the human sense of smell. Sewage treatment plants, landfills, and manufacturing plants use devices that quickly and effectively detect the source of unpleasant odors. The e-nose offers an alternative to hiring experts and companies specializing in odor analysis. Such procedures are associated with high costs and hours of research. The new device will reduce costs, and an analysis performed with it takes less than a minute. How does E-nose work? The electronic nose identifies the type of odor/odorousness and measures differences in odor intensity. The e-nose detects odors by reading the unique properties of the collected air sample. This reading is performed through computer analysis. The signals from individual sensors are collected, digitally processed, and then averaged. The relative proportions of the sensors are calculated, creating an odor profile for a specific sample. The multi-sensor E-nose, created by scientists from the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the Gdańsk University of Technology, will not fail at high concentrations of odorous air. "We've incorporated technical solutions and an algorithm into our solution that protect the sensors from saturation, eliminating long-term interruptions in the E-nose's operation. The data collected from the air is analyzed using a method that allows the signal to be assigned to a specific odor. After each analysis, the sensors return from their activated state to a state of equilibrium, " explains Prof. Marian Kamiński, Ph.D., D.Sc., Eng., co-creator of the technology. Where will E-nose be used? Marian Kamiński assures that the E-nose will prove useful in the biotechnology, chemical, and refinery/petrochemical industries, as well as in municipal wastewater treatment plants and landfills. It can also be used in the food industry, for example, to assess food freshness and quality. Furthermore, scientists are working on solutions for medical diagnostics and product quality control.