Recent researches in the field of computer science are collaborating the principles of Biology with various computer science technologies, in this edition, the Electronic Nose is again a very revolutionary step. It is another effort in utilizing human-like senses in electronic devices. The Electronic Nose (or e-nose) is a relatively new device that not only helps in sensing the various odors of chemicals, environmental hazard substances, vapors but also in process monitoring, safety control, and quality control.

The Electronic Nose utilizes the concepts of sensor technology, biochemistry, electronics and Artificial Intelligence to design the biological olfactory system with an instrument capable of identifying the aroma mixture.

Typically Electronic Nose consists of a multi-sensor array, an information processing unit utilizing the concepts of Artificial Neural Network (ANN), software with digital pattern-recognition algorithms and reference Library system. The e-nose has been a great help in performing the procedures in few minutes that requires many hours or even days to complete and also in detecting the complex odors. It is a smart device that is designed to detect and discriminate among various odors using the array of sensors developed. In order to perform these kinds of odor detection, it includes the sampling system, an array of chemical gas sensors, an Analog to Digital converter, a microprocessor (based on pattern recognition system, classification system) and a controlling system.

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Four main functional components of the Electronic Nose are as follows:

Functional components

1. A sample handler for odor vapor input
2. An array of sensors
3. A signal processing system
4. System for pattern recognition system

The Sample Delivery System:

The sample delivery system enables the generation of the headspace of volatile compounds which are fractionally analyzed. After analyzing this sample it is sent to the headspace of the detection system in the electronic nose.

The Detection System:

The detection system of the Earphone is the most reactive part of the Ear Phone when it comes to the contact of the volatile compounds causes changes in the electric characteristics.

The Computing System:

In this process, various signals of odors are stored and when a particular odor comes then the specific response is sent in the form of digital signal. The cross reference array is composed of incrementally different sensors chosen to respond to the wide range of chemical ranges and discriminate diverse mixture of possible analytics. Identification and classification of the analyte mixture are conducted through recognition of the unique aroma digital signature. These results are validated and stored in the reference Library for further help.

 

Working Principle of the Electronic Nose

The Electronic Nose has been developed to mimic the human Olfaction system, it consists of the sensor array, pattern reorganization modules, headspace sampling that helps in characterizing the smell, as discussed before the Electronic Nose consists of detecting system, computing system and sample delivery system. The digital output of the electronic nose is required to be analyzed, this is done either by graphical analysis, multivariate data analysis, and Network analysis.

Application of Electronic Nose

• The Electronic Nose due to its advanced sensing features is being greatly utilized in the various manufacturing Industries.
• It helps in maintaining the quality control and grading, product uniformity and consistency, processing controls, gas leak detection and environmental effluents monitoring.
• It is extensively used in Medical research as well. In chemical Industries such as Food Processing, Cosmetics, and various other manufacturing units.
• It is also used in Volatile Emission assessments, homeland security, environmental protection, biomedical medication, personal safety and product development research.
• The e-nose with its advanced sensor capabilities can extend its applications to various associated fields like agriculture, biomedical, cosmetics, environmental, food, pharmaceutical and various other scientific research fields.
• With its high capabilities, more accurate results, consistency, quality control capabilities and various other facilities are available for the Industrial growth.
• The Electronic nose has brought the revolution in the field of research. It has become a great help for humanitarian growth and making a better working environment by facilitating the better services in less time with the reduction in cost.

 

Conclusion

Computer Science has progressed a lot and its applications in various fields are overwhelming, the Electronic nose is a significant edition in this series. It is a device which works on the principle of sensing the various odors. The electronic nose utilizes the principles of neural network pattern recognition and other features. A lot of research is going on and in the near future, far better version of Electronic Nose will be available with advanced and enhanced features.