smell sensors in worms are very strong



Imagine an electronic ‘cyber-nose’ capable of measuring wine’s aromas and flavors! This is not the gist of a fiction-script depicting the fantasy world. Australian scientists are hoping to make such a sensor, and for this they begun looking at smell sensors in worms and insects, to artificially copy the way they process smells.



If such an electronic nose is ever built, it might also be used for security purposes as checking passengers for traces of explosives at the final ground check before boarding planes or trains. The cybernose may one day replace the sniffer dog for airport security, also helping a quick and non-invasive first medical test for some kinds of cancers.



The cybernose project costs A$4.5 million ($3.5 million) and is a collaboration between the CSIRO — Australian government’s chief science body, the Australian National University and Monash University.



Via: Reuters