SENSOR ARRAY TECHNIQUES FOR MIMICKING THE MAMMALIAN OLFACTORY SYSTEM

Scales of human odour perception are subjective and there is much need for automated methods of odour measurement in a variety of industries . Organic conducting polymers have been developed as sensing devices, and many materials have been synthesised and characterised. The sensor s show rapid adsorption and desorption characteristics and allow rapid measurements to be made. The responses are proportional to the concen tration of the volatile chemical being sensed, and with calibration ca n be used to quantify single chemical species. Arrays of sensors produ ce patterns of responses that can be used as descriptors for discrimin ating complex odours. Examples of applications in food quality monitor ing and agriculture malodours are given. The sensor array response may be correlated with olfactometric measurements in the case of pig slur ry malodour.