A groundbreaking artificial “nose” developed by NTNU researchers can detect spoiled food, hazardous gases and even diseases, potentially revolutionizing diagnostics and enhancing food safety.
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have pioneered an extraordinary new tool in the fight against food spoilage and disease – an artificial “nose” crafted from common antenna technology. This sensor, developed at NTNU’s Gjøvik campus, promises to revolutionize how we detect spoiled food, hazardous gases and undiagnosed diseases.
Michael Cheffena, a professor of telecommunications at NTNU in Gjøvik, explained the technology’s potential.
“By giving the antennas sensor functions, the existing infrastructure can be used in new areas of application. This has been one of the main motivations for investigating whether antennas can be used for these purposes,” he said in a news release.
Historically, the human sense of smell has played a pivotal role in detecting threats such as plagues and tuberculosis. However, our noses simply aren’t sensitive enough for reliable diagnostics.
Enter NTNU’s innovative artificial nose, leveraging readily available antenna technology to open new frontiers in health and safety.
The newly developed sensor works by transmitting radio signals across various frequencies and analyzing the reflections to detect unique patterns corresponding to different gases.
Lead author Yu Dang, a doctoral research fellow at NTNU’s Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, noted the impressive capabilities of their new creation.
The new sensor distinguishes between the different gases it has been tested on with an accuracy of 96.7%, according to Dang.
The significance of this development is profound.
Unlike previous attempts at electronic noses, which required hundreds of sensors and were costly and power-intensive, NTNU’s sensor employs a single antenna with a specific coating, making it both efficient and economical.
Dang further explained the sensor’s impressive selectivity.
“Even the most sophisticated E-noses consisting of many different sensors struggle with [isomers],” he said in the news release.
Isomers — compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures — have long posed a challenge for sensor technology. Yet, NTNU’s antenna nose navigates this complexity with notable precision.
So far, the technology has been effectively tested on damaged fruits and aged meats, and the researchers anticipate expanding its use to disease detection.
“Volatile organic compounds enable trained dogs to detect health-threatening changes in blood sugar and diseases like cancer, so the principle is largely the same,” Dang added.
Unlike dogs, however, this artificial nose doesn’t need prolonged training or specialized handlers, making it an accessible and practical solution.
The study is published in the journal Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical.
Looking ahead, this breakthrough in sensor technology could redefine numerous industries, from food safety and public health to environmental monitoring. By facilitating early detection of spoilage and hazardous gases, it promises not only to enhance safety and reduce waste but also to pave the way for advancements in medical diagnostics.