Researchers create 3D-printed ‘artificial nose’ to detect gas

Researchers have created a new gas detector with the help of 3D-printing, and dubbed it as ‘artificial nose’.

Researchers from University of British Columbia have developed a microfluidic gas detector, nicknamed the ‘artificial nose’, that enables greatly accurate odor analysis for numerous applications.

The detector can detect small traces of gases quickly and efficiently. Due to its high efficiency, the device can be used in number of things like food and beverage quality assessments, environmental monitoring, and biological and chemical analytical systems, wrote UBC.

Researcher Mina Hoorfar explained that the device is an artificial nose that can smell any sort of odor including noxious substances such as ammonia, sewage, or natural gas. Hoorfar said, “Our sense of smell is one of the most important abilities humans have.

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“Our nose affects the quality of our lives significantly and helps with the detection of toxic gases in the environment, fire awareness, spoiled food or triggering memories. With this in mind, there has always been interest in developing devices that can mimic human olfaction systems.”

The tiny gas detectors contain 3D-printed parts that create the microchannel and a metal oxide semiconductor. The detectors can be connected to a sampling chamber or can be used in a lab experiment. The detectors use two different channels and each channel has a different coating.

While testing the device, several target gases were used. When a sample passed through the detector, the internal coatings direct the gases to the appropriate sensor where it is immediately analyzed.

One of the lead researchers Mohammad Paknahad said, “Our research demonstrates that these low-cost detectors can be custom-made for different applications while maintaining accuracy and precision.”

Hoorfar also mentioned that as compared to other systems, their ‘artificial noses’ ‘offer a small, inexpensive and highly-accurate alternative’. “This has the potential of changing the way municipalities and utilities conduct their monitoring. Based on the initial reaction of our municipal partners, we are excited to see what lies ahead.”