ELECTRONIC NOSE

ABSTRACT: The term "electronic nose" was first used in a jocular sense during our early work with sensor arrays in the 1980's. An electronic nose (e-nose) is a device that identifies the specific components of an

chemical quantity into electrical signals, followed by appropriate signal

conditioning and processing to classify known odours or identify unknown

odor and analyzes its chemical makeup

to identify it. Of all the five senses,

YT

TH SE VE R

olfaction uses the largest part of the

HI N

G.
Each of

odours. The signals generated by an array of odour sensors need to be processed in a sophisticated manner. An odor is composed of molecules, each of which has a specific size and shape. these molecules sized and has a

brain and is an essential part of our daily lives.

correspondingly

BL
for

receptor in the human nose. When a specific receptor receives a molecule, it sends a signal to the brain and the brain identifies the smell associated with that particular molecule. Electronic noses based on the biological model work in a similar sensors manner, the albeit substituting and E-nose

Our human nose is elegant, sensitive, self-repairing, but the

and

sensors do not fatigue or get the "flu". Further, the E-nose can be sent to detect toxic and otherwise hazardous situations that humans may wish to avoid. An electronic nose can be regarded as a modular system comprising a set of active materials which detect the odour, associated sensors which transduce the

SR IK AN

transmitting the signal to a program for processing, rather than to the brain.

OG SP OT .C OM
Neural Networks
shaped receptors,

Electronic noses are useful in various fields. Currently, the biggest market for electronic noses is the food industry. Environmental applications of electronic noses include analysis of fuel mixtures, detection of oil leaks, testing ground water for odors, and identification of household odors. Potential applications include identification of toxic wastes, air quality monitoring, and monitoring

development of an artificial nose. The term "electronic nose" was first used in a

sensor arrays in the 1980's. As the technology developed, it became

apparent that the animal and human olfactory systems operate on the same

principle: A relatively small number of nonselective receptors allow

discrimination of thousands of different

factory emissions. Sensors can detect toxic CO, which is odorless to humans. An electronic nose has applicability as a diagnostic tool. The tragic bombings in London on the 7 July 2005 have caused

odors. Electronic/artificial noses are

automated detection and classification of

many to call for bag searching at the ticket barriers on the Underground. This

would cause huge delays, apart from finding the manpower to do it.

YT

TH SE VE R

A possible alternative is using an electronic nose to sniff out possible explosives so that only selected bags need to be searched by staff.

INTRODUCTION:

SR IK AN

Scientists have endowed computers with eyes to see, thanks to digital cameras, and ears to hear, via microphones and sophisticated recognition software. Now they're taking computers further into the realm of the senses with the

HI N

G.

odors, vapors, and gases. An electronic nose (e-nose) is a device that identifies the specific components of an odor and analyzes its chemical makeup to identify it.

2. WHAT IS AN ELECTRONIC NOSE?

An electronic nose can be regarded as a modular system comprising a set of active materials which detect the odour, associated sensors which transduce the chemical quantity into electrical signals, followed by appropriate signal

conditioning and processing to classify known odours or identify unknown odours. The "electronic nose" is a relatively new tool that may be used for safety, quality, or process monitoring,

BL

being developed as systems for the

OG SP OT .C OM
the

jocular sense during our early work with

accomplishing

in

few

minutes

typical sensor array to different pure chemicals:

procedures that may presently require days to complete. The two main components of an electronic nose are the sensing system which consists of

chemical sensors and the automated pattern recognition system. The sensing system can be an array of several different sensing elements (e.g.,

chemical sensors), where each element measures a different property of the sensed chemical, or it can be a single sensing device (e.g., spectrometer) that produces an array of measurements for each chemical, or The it can be a

ELECTRONIC

BL
as

combination.

quantity

HI N

and

G.

SCHEME:
An electronic nose can be a modular system

complexity of the data collected by sensors array can make conventional chemical analysis of data in an

regarded

YT

comprising a set of active materials which detect the odour, associated sensors which transduce the chemical quantity into electrical signals, followed by appropriate signal conditioning and processing to classify known odours or identify unknown odours, see Figure 4

TH SE VE R

automated fashion difficult. Gas sensors tend to have very broad selectivity, responding to many different substances. This is a disadvantage in most

applications, but in the electronic nose, it is a definite advantage. ENose can detect an electronic change of 1 part per million. Although every sensor in an array may respond to a given chemical, these responses will usually be different. Figure 1 shows sets of responses of a

SR IK AN

OG SP OT .C OM
NOSE

FIGURE-3 CHEMICAL SENSOR FIGURE-2 ELECTRONIC NOSE SCHEME

Using variants of molecules found in biology it is possible to create 'senses' from electrical charges caused by the binding of the molecules to mimic the

polymer films. These films are specially

YT

human nose. With this approach, the sensitivity of the device can be a

TH SE VE R

thousand times better than the currently available electronic nose.

The receptors, which will be

housed within an artificial membrane, remain in a closed steady state until approached by smell molecules, when they will open and transmit an electrical signal which will indicate the nature of the odour

HI N

G.
produce pattern.

designed to conduct electricity. When a substance -- such as the stray molecules from a glass of soda -- is absorbed into these films, the films expand slightly, and that changes how much electricity they conduct. Because each film is made of a different polymer, each one reacts to each substance, or analyte, in a slightly different way. And, while the changes in conductivity in a single polymer film wouldn't be enough to identify an analyte, the varied changes in 16 films a distinctive, identifiable

SR IK AN

DATA PROCESSING METHODS:

BL

ENose uses a collection of 16 different

OG SP OT .C OM

The signals generated by an array of odour sensors need to be processed in a

nose

research

group

has

obtained

considerable experience in the use of various parametric and non-parametric pattern analysis techniques. These

include the use of linear and non-linear techniques, function such as discriminant analysis,

analysis,

cluster

genetic algorithms, fuzzy logic, and adaptive models. An odor is composed of molecules, each of which has a specific size and shape. Each of these molecules has a correspondingly sized and shaped receptor in the human nose. When a specific receptor receives a

Figure-4 electronic nose

BIOLOGICAL NOSE AND E-

G.
NOSE:

BL

ANALOGY BETWEEN THE

molecule, it sends a signal to the brain and the brain identifies the smell

YT

TH SE VE R

associated with that particular molecule. Electronic noses based on the biological model work in a similar manner, albeit substituting sensors for the receptors, and transmitting the signal to a program for processing, rather than to the brain. Electronic noses are one example of a growing biomimetics, involves research or area called which

SR IK AN

biomimicry,

human-made

applications

patterned on natural phenomena.

HI N

olfaction uses the largest part of the brain and is an essential part of our daily lives. Indeed, the appeal of most flavors is more related to the odor arising from volatiles than to the reaction of the taste buds to dissolved substances. Our olfactory system has evolved not only to enhance taste but also to warn us of dangerous situations. We can easily detect just a few parts per billion of the toxic gas hydrogen sulfide in sewer gas, an ability that can save our life. Olfaction is closely related to the limbic or primitive brain, and odors can elicit basic emotions like love, sadness, or fear

OG SP OT .C OM
Of all the five senses,

sophisticated manner. The electronic

The

term,

"electronic

nose" or "E-nose" has come into

array

of

chemical

gas

sensors

incorporated into an artificial olfaction device, after its introduction in the title of a landmark conference on this subject in Iceland in 1991. The term E-nose is not pejorative. There are striking

Fig-6 Artificial Electronic Nose

analogies between the artificial noses of man and the "Bio-nose" constructed by Nature. Figure 2: illustrates a biological nose and points out the important features of this "instrument".
"Biologi Fig-5 the

The human nose uses the lungs to bring the odor to the epithelium layer; the electronic nose has a pump. The human

nose has mucous, hairs, and membranes to act as filters and concentrators, while

HI N

G.
enhance epithelium

the E-nose has an inlet sampling system that provides sample filtration and conditioning to protect the sensors and selectivity. contains The the human olfactory

YT TH SE VE R
cal Nose" (by Mother Nature)

epithelium, which contains millions of sensing cells, selected from 100-200 different genotypes that interact with the odorous molecules in unique ways. The E-nose has a variety of sensors that interact differently with the sample. The human receptors convert the chemical responses to electronic nerve impulses. The unique patterns of nerve impulses are propagated by neurons through a

SR IK AN

Figure3:

illustrates

the

artificial

complex network before reaching the higher brain for interpretation. Similarly, the chemical sensors in the E-nose react

electronic nose. Comparing the two is instructive.

BL

OG SP OT .C OM

common usage as a generic term for an

with the sample and produce electrical signals. A computer reads the unique pattern of signals, and interprets them with some form of intelligent pattern classification algorithm. From these similarities we can easily understand the nomenclature. However, there are still fundamental differences in both the instrumentation and software! The Bionose can perform tasks still out of reach for the E-nose, but the reverse is also true October 6, 2004: Onboard the space station, astronauts are surrounded by ammonia. It flows through pipes,

need better noses!That's why NASA is developing the Electronic Nose, or

learn to recognize almost any compound

or combination of compounds. It can even be trained to distinguish between

Pepsi and Coke. Like a human nose, the ENose is amazingly versatile, yet it's much more sensitive

carrying heat generated inside the station (by people and electronics) outside to

YT

HI N

G.
and

figure-7 working process

ADVANTAGES OF E-NOSE:
self-repairing, but the E-nose

Our human nose is elegant, sensitive,

space. Ammonia helps keep the station

sensors do not fatigue or get the "flu". Further, the E-nose can be sent to detect toxic and otherwise hazardous situations that humans may wish NOSE to avoid. FOR

TH SE VE R

habitable.

But it's also a poison. And if it leaks, the astronauts will need to know quickly. Ammonia becomes dangerous at a concentration of a few parts per million (ppm). Humans, though, can't sense it until it reaches about 50 ppmAnd then there's fire. Before an electrical fire breaks out, increasing heat releases a variety of signature molecules. Humans can't sense them either until

ELECTRONIC ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING:

SR IK AN

BL
Enormous amounts

hazardous waste (nuclear, chemical, and mixed wastes) were generated by more than 40 years of weapons production in the U.S. Department of Energys weapons complex. The Pacific

concentrations become high. Astronauts

OG SP OT .C OM
of

ENose for short. It's a device that can

Northwest

National

Laboratory

is

liver problems. Infected wounds and tissues emit distinctive odors that can be

exploring the technologies required to perform environmental restoration and waste management in a cost effective manner. This effort includes the

coming from body fluids can indicate liver and bladder problems. A more

development of portable, inexpensive systems capable of real-time

futuristic application of electronic noses has been recently proposed for

identification of contaminants in the field. Electronic noses fit this category. Environmental applications of electronic noses include analysis of fuel mixtures, detection of oil leaks, testing ground water for odors, and identification of household odors. Potential applications include identification of toxic wastes, air quality monitoring, and monitoring

telesurgery

ELECTRONICS NOSE FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY:

market for electronic noses is the food

G.
industry. inspection

BL
of of

factory emissions. Sensors can detect toxic CO, which is odorless to humans.

YT

HI N

noses in the food industry include quality assessment in food production, inspection of food quality by odor, control of food cooking processes, fish, monitoring the

TH SE VE R

ELECTRONIC

NOSES

FOR

MEDICINE:

fermentation process, verifying if orange juice is natural, monitoring food and beverage inspection odors, grading whiskey, containers,

Because the sense of

smell is an important sense to the physician, an electronic nose has

checking plastic wrap for containment of onion odor, and automated flavor control to name a few. In some instances electronic noses can be used to augment or replace panels of human experts. In other cases, electronic noses can be used to reduce the amount of analytical chemistry that is performed in food

applicability as a diagnostic tool. An electronic nose can examine odors from the body (e.g., breath, wounds, body fluids, etc.) and identify possible

SR IK AN

problems. Odors in the breath can be indicative of gastrointestinal problems, sinus problems, infections, diabetes, and

OG SP OT .C OM
Currently, the biggest Applications of electronic beverage

detected by an electronic nose. Odors

production especially when qualitative results will do. ELECTRONIC NOSE FOR

specific components of an odour and analyzes its chemical makeup to identify

electronic sensors would sniff out the

MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS: Multimedia systems are widely used in consumer electronics environments

odours while a second mechanism would see if it could recognize the pattern. OTHER APPLICATIONS:

today, where humans can work and communicate through multi-sensory

interfaces. Unfortunately smell detection and generation systems are not part of today's multimedia systems. Hence we can use electronic nose in multimedia environment. ELECTRONIC NOSE USED IN

used for early fire detection. E-nose

offers an opportunity to develop an

analytical endpoints like odor, flavor,

DETECTION OF BOMBS: The tragic

bombings

YT
in using an

HI N

G.
the like. is

hazardous, contaminated, spoiled, and

CONCLUSION:
Humans are not well suited

TH SE VE R

London on the 7 July 2005 have caused many to call for bag searching at the ticket barriers on the Underground. This would cause huge delays, apart from finding the manpower to do it. A possible alternative

for repetitive or boring tasks that are better left to machines. No wonder the E-nose is sometimes referred to as a "sniffer". The E-nose has the interesting ability to address analytical problems that have been refractory to traditional analytical approaches. GOSPEL is a European network of excellence in Artificial Olfaction.X

SR IK AN

electronic nose to sniff out possible explosives so that only selected bags need to be searched by staff. The concept has been around for a long time, and was initially ridiculed. The basic idea is a device that identifies the

REFERENCE:
1. Electronics for u August 2006 edition.

BL

instrumental approach for the human

OG SP OT .C OM
Electronic nose can be

it. One mechanism would be an array of

2.E:\enose\Electrochemistry encyclopedia nose.mht 3. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/ 06oct_enose.htm 4. E:\enose\The Electronic Nose.mht 5. E:\enose\12.mht 6. E:\enose\Artificial Noses ___ and Taste.mht --Electrochemical

SR IK AN

TH SE VE R

YT

HI N

G.

BL

OG SP OT .C OM