Weight of odors

1991/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingeniaritza

Japanese researchers have invented a special odour weighing system. This is the result obtained at the Tokyo Technological Institute by using the ultrasensive scale. This scale distinguishes one billion grams and contains quartz crystals coated with artificial lipid membranes as olfactory cells.

This equipment has allowed to record the weight of the different olfactory substances. This technique will be applied in the perfume industry, but it will also help scientists to solve complex olfactory mechanisms.