A REVIEW ON APPLICATION AND SENSORS OF ARTIFICIAL OLFACTION

Abstract

Artificial scent, based on automated systems (electronic noses), involves three simple odorant-based functions: a sample handler, an array of gas sensors and a form of signal processing. The artificial nose is a bio-inspired mechanism that imitates the sense of smell. With traditional analytical methods, like gas chromatography, the complexity of most odorants makes characterisation impossible. The electronic noses are simple to create, provides fast examination periods, both online and in real time, and demonstrate high specificity and sensitivity to the odorants being evaluated. These methods are non-destructive tools used to characterise odorants in a range of quality-of-life applications, like nutritional control, environmental quality, public safety or clinical diagnostics. Much science, however, remains to be done, especially with regard to new technologies for materials and sensors, data analysis, understanding and confirmation of findings. This thesis explores the key characteristics of new electronic noses and their most relevant environmental and safety implementations. The major elements of an electronic nose listed above are defined. Finally, some interesting remarks are also listed in the numerous applications about the strengths and disadvantages of electronic noses.