• picture
  • picture
  • picture
  • picture
Public Radio's Environmental News Magazine (follow us on Google News)

Technology Update

Air Date: Week of

Cynthia Graber reports that scientists have created hand-held “noses” to recognize and analyze different smells.

Transcript

GRABER: Scientists have been trying for years to develop a machine that mimics the human nose. They've come up with a few models, but they're all too big to carry around. Now, two companies have unveiled hand-held devices that can detect smells even our noses might otherwise miss. One, the Cyranose, can recognize up to 200 different odors. Right now it's marketed for use in the food and beverage industry. But one day, you might find it at the site of chemical spills or other places where environmental contaminants need to be quickly identified. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy's Sandia Lab has introduced a portable device that can recognize vapors and analyze minute amounts of liquid. Today it can identify agents of biological and chemical terrorism. Researchers expect future uses to include finding land mines, detecting pollutants, and even diagnosing medical conditions. And that's this week's Living on Earth technology update. I'm Cynthia Graber.

CURWOOD: Thanks, Cynthia. It's 19 minutes past the hour.

 

 

Living on Earth wants to hear from you!

Living on Earth
62 Calef Highway, Suite 212
Lee, NH 03861
Telephone: 617-287-4121
E-mail: comments@loe.org

Newsletter [Click here]

Donate to Living on Earth!
Living on Earth is an independent media program and relies entirely on contributions from listeners and institutions supporting public service. Please donate now to preserve an independent environmental voice.

Newsletter
Living on Earth offers a weekly delivery of the show's rundown to your mailbox. Sign up for our newsletter today!

Sailors For The Sea: Be the change you want to sea.

Creating positive outcomes for future generations.

Innovating to make the world a better, more sustainable place to live. Listen to the race to 9 billion

The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment: Committed to protecting and improving the health of the global environment.

Contribute to Living on Earth and receive, as our gift to you, an archival print of one of Mark Seth Lender's extraordinary wildlife photographs. Follow the link to see Mark's current collection of photographs.

Buy a signed copy of Mark Seth Lender's book Smeagull the Seagull & support Living on Earth