Scientists recently managed to devise a new type of artificial nose, one that combines complicated smell recognition patterns employed by animals with high-end sensors, capable of distinguishing between thousands of odors. A new potent feature the device has is that it can detect foreign molecules in the air, even those it was not "trained" to find. Such an invention has numerous potential applications, both in medicine and in the military.
 

The new device, created by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), could identify dangerous chemicals in open or confined spaces. Potential uses also involve detecting specific substances that are particular to a certain disease. This means that certain afflictions could virtually be "sniffed" with the aid of the new artificial nose. Also, various combinations of dangerous chemicals could be identified as the new device scans the air around it.
 

This could prove extremely useful for civil defense, in case of a terrorist attack, using chemical or biological agents. Sensors equipped with the new technology could be placed in and around sensitive locations, such as schools, hospitals and public buildings, in order for authorities to have time to prevent disasters, once they are notified that the chemical composition in the air is modified.
 

The "nose" makes professional use of semi-conducting sensing materials, which are placed on NIST's own MEMS microheater platforms. About 16 such platforms are covered by 8 types of sensors, which are heated at temperatures between 150 and 500 degrees Celsius. Temperatures that are so high increase the number of sensors to as much as 5,600, by creating "virtual" receptors, much like a virtual drive in a PC.
 

The scientists are now working towards increasing the speed of recognition the device exhibits when analyzing complex substances. In real life situations, a high speed could eventually save thousands of lives from a chemical or biological agent. Once this obstacle is overcome, the creators of the new technology will begin work on improving it with even more smells, for a higher degree of accuracy.