Electronic noses are
nothing new, but it's always interesting when you throw space into the mix. NASA's most recent Endeavor mission has taken with it a third generation e-nose that's the size of a shoebox, where it will act as a detection and warning system for air contaminants. The ISS currently has no system and relies wholly on the astronauts' actual noses. Developed and built by AEMC, the new nose's dynamic range is from less than one part per million to about 10,000 parts per million -- much more sensitive than human honkers. The e-nose has 32 sensors made of polymer films that respond to different chemicals by changing electrical conductivity, and it's capable of both detecting and analyzing what it "smells." The nose is going to be operational on the space station for a beginning trial period of six months, and we have a feeling that its first accomplishment will be to point out that there's something
strange about the water.
[Via
Physorg]
posted Nov 21st 2008 12:41PM
AH! HAHAHA! Because...the water is made form pee....HAHAHA.....the pee....hahaha....and the water....HEE HEE heee....Wooo!
I think this article would have been ten times better if the "nothing new" link went to that clip from richie rich with the Smell-Master
@ Max:
First thing I thought of.
Does this mean they might be working on a smell o scope?
+ 1 futrurama. I was thinking of the same.
Fry: Did you build the Smelloscope?
Farnsworth: No, I remembered that I'd built one last year. Go ahead, try it. You'll find that every heavenly body has its own particular scent. Here, I'll point it at Jupiter.
Fry: Smells like strawberries.
Farnsworth: Exactly. And now, Saturn.
Fry: Pine needles. Oh, man, this is great... hey, as long as you don't make me smell Uranus.
Leela: I don't get it.
Farnsworth: I'm sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all.
Fry: Oh. What's it called now?
Farnsworth: Urrectum. Here, let me locate it for you.
Fry: No, no, I, I think I'll just smell around a bit over here.
OK - not sure I understand... "less than one part per million to about 10,000 parts per million"
So, can it smell something that has a greater ratio than 10,000 parts per million?? Does it make sense that it can't smell that? I haven't any idea...
anything > 10,000ppm would be pretty damn readily smellable anyway
It can detect the compounds, yes, but it can not accurately quantify concentrations over 10,000 ppb.
"It does have a little wang to it. Good, though."
Bachelor Party reference?
Hollywood Knights
- much more sensitive that human honkers.
*** - much more sensitive than* human honkers.
I give it two days until an astronaut farts on this thing and sends NASA pulse thru the roof
Developed and built by ACME?!
Is it me or are NASA design aesthetics becoming downright humane and pleasing to the eye.
I mean, white housing and rounded corners and edges? Wow.
I guess that means no more freeze-dried beans for a while...
So let me get this right, they have been getting by just fine on the regular old human noses thus far without any problems. So what is the justification of building a space capable nose that does have any apparent usage need? Besides if its not going to kill them whats the point of letting them know, its not like they can run outside quick till the smell dissipates.
Detecting the release of hazardous chemicals! Are you really that stupid or are you just being obtuse?
The ISS has had permanent human inhabitants for over 8 years. They didn't have one before and no hazardous chemical release has killed anybody yet. So again I ask is this really needed or is somebody just trying to justify a budget or hock some wares for entirely too much money?
The article says the "nose" can sniff from 1 part per million to 100's parts per million. I don't know if there is a type O, but it is not more sensitive than the human nose, the nose can smell at parts per trillion,a nd if my math is right, that is another 6 zero's! The detector can be calibrated to sniff volatile compounds and maybe even gasses, but gasses are not as easily detected as vapors. Hydrogen Sulfide can be read in Parts per million, but is a perfect example of our noses beating. it We use H2S in natural gas (Which has no smell) so we can detect with out noses at parts per trillion. Pure H2S is called the three breath death.
Dave, I do not believe eating the dehydrated burrito was a wise decision. Please open an airlock as soon as possible.
*sniff* Who had baked beans today?
Dude! If I was an astronaut I would so shimmy my buttocks up to one of these and let out a big ole fart. Then let the ground control guys try and figure out where the methane leak was coming from...
This is why *I* am not an astronaut.
too much information
theres a cool $2.2 million down the drain
it looks like a Wii accessory, WiiSNIFF!
Some answers highlighted:
"This technology demonstration will provide important information for environmental control and life-support system designers for the future lunar outpost.""
"Specifically, the shoebox-sized ENose contains an array of 32 sensors that can identify and quantify several organic and inorganic chemicals, including organic solvents and marker chemicals that signal the start of electrical fires"
"Air-quality problems have occurred before on the International Space Station, space shuttle and Russian Space Station Mir. In most cases, the chemicals were identified only after the crew had been exposed to them, if at all."
"The instrument can analyze volatile aerosols and vapors, help monitor cleanup of chemical spills or leaks, and enable more intensive chemical analysis by collecting raw data and streaming it to a computer at JPL's ENose laboratory. The instrument has a wide range of chemical sensitivity, from fractional parts per million to 10,000 parts per million."
"It can detect chemicals that people find odorless. It doesn't suffer from "odor fatigue," the human tendency to grow accustomed and insensitive to smells that start small and increase gradually"
Last one suited for some comments ;)
"Currently it can identify alcohols and aromatics, the two groups that include most of what is likely to present a problem aboard the ISS"
And don't forget that DARPA project to make a computer that is as intelligent as a cat.. better get the odour sensors developed too I think you can agree.
There is a reason for this useful Technology for Safety in the smell of certain unwanted chemicals for USA Conflict zones;Tech companys Mfg. this ,its well spent ,furthermore, If you Value your life as well as your Grandkids you want to Thank DEFENSE CONTACTORS FOR KEEPING US SAFE.All of them help USA .Thanks All Great day!LMT,Ratheon ,General Dynamics,GFF,ang UTX ,Thanks Guys keep up the good Job!