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Posts tagged with ‘smells’

Scientists want to try and replicate the stinky smell of space

You may have heard, that space has a smell. Or more specifically, the bit of space just around Earth. Described as astronauts as being unpleasant, and somewhat meaty and metallic, thanks to the interaction with space molecules (technical term) and the interior of an astronaut’s space suit. And now, scientists want to re-create that stanky space smell.

The electronic nose: Sniffing out dangerous stuff so you don’t have to

In the past decade, our cell phones have evolved into multi-functional, always online digital assistants and gaming devices. Nate Lewis, Professor of Chemistry at Caltech, is working on technology that may turn your next smartphone into a bomb-sniffing, disease-diagnosing “electronic nose.”

Like a canary in a coal mine, chemical vapor sensors — or electronic noses — can sniff out chemicals that might be hazardous or undetectable by human noses. These e-noses have potential applications in public safety as bomb or toxin detectors. They could even sense diseases on a patient’s breath, providing faster diagnosis for deadly illnesses like tuberculosis and lung cancer.

Via