Eight years spent developing a tiny sensor that can detect harmful airborne substances, a chemical engineering professor is working bringing the resultant prototype — an “electronic nose” — to market.
Nosang Myung, based at the University of California, Riverside, is working with firm Nano Engineered Applications to create a commercial variation of the prototype nose. From detecting gas leaks to pesticide levels, the tech can be used to find a number of chemical agents — and may even break into the military and homeland security markets.
The prototype includes a computer chip, USB ports, and temperature and humidity sensors.
The second version of the prototype is due out within a month, and will also feature GPS and Bluetooth technology to synchronize the electronic nose to a smartphone.
The team is also considering whether to bolt-on WiFi features.
Version 2.0, expected to debut in just a month, will sync with a smartphone via Bluetooth and will include GPS.
At present, the prototype measures about four inches by seven inches — although the aim is to make the electronic nose the size of a credit card. The device uses a multi-channel nanosensor built using carbon nanotubes which can detect up to eight toxins in small amounts — down to the parts per billion. A single-channel device would only be the size of a fingernail.
Although the device will most likely end up in military and security scenarios first, what’s to stop it being available to the average consumer — perhaps your smartphone could alert you to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home, or monitor air quality for a child with asthma.
Image credit: Nosang Myung
