AsianScientist (Dec. 7, 2016) – Researchers in Japan have developed a sweat detecting sensor that uses an olfactory receptor found in mosquitoes. They delivered an oral presentation on their findings, titled “Odorant Sensor Using an Insect Olfactory Receptor Reconstructed in Artificial Cell Membrane,” at the MicroTAS 2016 Conference held from October 9-13, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland.
Researchers in various countries have developed sensors that detect odors, but these devices pale in comparison to a living creature’s organ in terms of compactness, sensitivity, and selectivity in distinguishing smells. Led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi at the University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science and Dr. Nobuo Misawa at the Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology, the research team embedded a mosquito olfactory receptor in an artificial cell membrane that mimics nature by having a lipid bilayer.
The olfactory receptor used is a membrane protein found in the antenna of a mosquito which responds to the odor of human sweat. This receptor responds only to a substance called octenol, an component of human sweat odor, and changes the membrane’s conductivity—the ease with which electricity passes through it. A mosquito identifies human odor by detecting this change in electrical current.
The researchers installed the sensor into a small wireless device and mounted it on a locomotive robot, and when octenol was released in the air around the robot, it responded by moving.
Such applications of the sensor may one day play a vital role in search and rescue operations during disasters. The team aims to develop practical applications for the sensor that will help rescuers search for the missing in disasters and other situations when visual confirmation is difficult.
“Using the olfactory receptors of insects apart from the mosquito presents possibilities for applying them to detect illegal drugs and explosives,” said Takeuchi. He continued, “The life of the sensor currently stands at about one hour; we are aiming to extend this to around half a day.”
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Source: University of Tokyo.
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