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Machine Olfaction and Taste

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Electronic Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 27567

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
Interests: human olfactory interface; odor recorder; odor reproduction; measurement technology; sensor; sensor signal processing

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Guest Editor
Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
Interests: Insect olfaction; Olfactory receptor; Gustatory receptor; Genetic engineering; Cell-based biosensor
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sensors for olfaction and taste have been studied for more than three decades, and many researchers proposed various types of chemical sensors and biosensors. Sensors with different characteristics are typically used together as a sensor array in the same manner as biological olfactory systems. Thus, multidimensional data analysis such as pattern recognition has been studied for a long time. The recent topic is deep learning technique for electronic nose. The sensor system, including IoT or cyber physical systems, is also a hot topic. Moreover, many researchers study mobile robots with chemical senses.

In addition to sensing techniques, the device and the method to present olfactory and gustatory information are important. We can manufacture the contents with scents and tastes, such as game, movie, etc. As olfactory and taste displays are relatively new, we have many things to do in that field. Moreover, the combination of sensing with presentation technologies, such as odor recorder, teleolfaction, etc., are expected to evolve.

“Machine Olfaction and Taste” includes both the sensing and presentation technologies of chemical senses. This Special Issue is aimed at representing the latest research of machine olfaction and taste. Contributions to sensor material, device, signal processing, data analysis, robot, display technologies, and their combination related to olfaction and taste are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Takamichi Nakamoto
Dr. Hidefumi Mitsuno
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • odor sampling
  • chemical sensor
  • biosensor
  • electronic nose
  • electronic tongue
  • sensor system
  • IoT
  • multidimensional data analysis
  • signal processing
  • deep learning
  • mobile robot
  • olfactory and taste displays
  • multi-modal interaction

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3701 KiB  
Article
Amine Detection Using Organic Field Effect Transistor Gas Sensors
by Panagiotis Mougkogiannis, Michael Turner and Krishna Persaud
Sensors 2021, 21(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21010013 - 22 Dec 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4460
Abstract
Low power gas sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity are desired for many practical applications. Devices based on organic field effect transistors are promising because they can be fabricated at modest cost and are low power devices. Organic field effect transistors fabricated in [...] Read more.
Low power gas sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity are desired for many practical applications. Devices based on organic field effect transistors are promising because they can be fabricated at modest cost and are low power devices. Organic field effect transistors fabricated in bottom-gate bottom-contact configuration using the organic semiconductor [2,5-(2-octyldodecyl)-3,6-diketopyrrolopyrrole-alt-5,5-(2,5-di(thien-2-yl)thieno] [3,2-b]thiophene) (DPP-T-TT) were systematically investigated to determine the response characteristics to a series of alkylamines and ammonia. The highest sensitivity was to dibutylamine with a limit of detection of 0.025 ppb, followed by n-butylamine, 0.056 ppb, and ammonia, 2.17 ppb. A model was constructed based on the Antoine equation that successfully allows the empirical prediction of the sensitivity and selectivity of the gas sensor to various analytes including amines and alcohols based on the Antoine C parameter and the heat of the vaporization of the analyte. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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13 pages, 2576 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Sensitive Isopropanol Biochemical Gas Sensor (Bio-Sniffer) for Monitoring of Human Volatiles
by Po-Jen Chien, Takuma Suzuki, Ming Ye, Koji Toma, Takahiro Arakawa, Yasuhiko Iwasaki and Kohji Mitsubayashi
Sensors 2020, 20(23), 6827; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20236827 - 29 Nov 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3544
Abstract
Our groups have previously developed a biochemical gas sensor to measure isopropanol (IPA) in exhaled air and have applied it for breath IPA investigation in healthy subjects and diabetes patients. In this study, the original bio-sniffer was modified with a series of components [...] Read more.
Our groups have previously developed a biochemical gas sensor to measure isopropanol (IPA) in exhaled air and have applied it for breath IPA investigation in healthy subjects and diabetes patients. In this study, the original bio-sniffer was modified with a series of components that improved the limit of detection (LOD). First, the modified IPA bio-sniffer used a C8855-type photomultiplier tube (PMT) that performed well in the photon sensitivity at the peak wavelength of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence. Second, the multi-core bifurcated optical fiber, which incorporated 36 fibers to replace the previous dual-core type, enhanced the fluorescence collection. Third, the optical fiber probe was reinforced for greater width, and the flow-cell was redesigned to increase the area of the enzyme-immobilized membrane in contact with the air sample. These modifications lowered the detection limit to 0.5 ppb, a significant increase over the previous 1.0 ppb. Moreover, the modified bio-sniffer successfully analyzed the IPA concentration in exhaled air from a volunteer, which confirmed its capability for real-world sample detection. The modified bio-sniffer is more applicable to breath measurement and the detection of other extremely-low-concentration samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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17 pages, 4854 KiB  
Article
Cross-Modal Effect of Presenting Food Images on Taste Appetite
by Keisuke Tomono and Akira Tomono
Sensors 2020, 20(22), 6615; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20226615 - 19 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2191
Abstract
We researched a method to objectively evaluate the presence of food images, for the purpose of applying it to digital signage. In this paper, we defined the presence of food images as a sensation that makes us recognize that food is there, and [...] Read more.
We researched a method to objectively evaluate the presence of food images, for the purpose of applying it to digital signage. In this paper, we defined the presence of food images as a sensation that makes us recognize that food is there, and investigated the relationship between that recognition and the salivary secretion reaction. If saliva secretion can be detected by a non-invasive method, it may be possible to objectively estimate the presence of the viewer from the outside. Two kinds of experiments were conducted. STUDY 1 included presentations of popular cooking images, which portrayed a sense of deliciousness, and evaluated changes in the volume of saliva secretions and cerebral blood flow near the temples. STUDY 2 included comparisons of changes between presenting images only and images with corresponded smells. The images included scenes that introduced foods (i.e., almond pudding cake/bergamot orange) that were relatively simple, so that they did not induce the subjects themselves. As a result, we clarified the cross-modal effects that were closely related to sense of presence and salivation. Moreover, we clarified presentation of images with smells to improve one’s sense of presence, even though the images were relatively simple. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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14 pages, 4387 KiB  
Article
Development of a Mobile Device for Odor Identification and Optimization of Its Measurement Protocol Based on the Free-Hand Measurement
by Gaku Imamura and Genki Yoshikawa
Sensors 2020, 20(21), 6190; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20216190 - 30 Oct 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2514
Abstract
Practical applications of machine olfaction have been eagerly awaited. A free-hand measurement, in which a measurement device is manually exposed to sample odors, is expected to be a key technology to realize practical machine olfaction. To implement odor identification systems based on the [...] Read more.
Practical applications of machine olfaction have been eagerly awaited. A free-hand measurement, in which a measurement device is manually exposed to sample odors, is expected to be a key technology to realize practical machine olfaction. To implement odor identification systems based on the free-hand measurement, the comprehensive development of a measurement system including hardware, measurement protocols, and data analysis is necessary. In this study, we developed palm-size wireless odor measurement devices equipped with Membrane-type Surface stress Sensors (MSS) and investigated the effect of measurement protocols and feature selection on odor identification. By using the device, we measured vapors of liquids as odor samples through the free-hand measurement in different protocols. From the measurement data obtained with these protocols, datasets of transfer function ratios (TFRs) were created and analyzed by clustering and machine learning classification. It has been revealed that TFRs in the low-frequency range below 1 Hz notably contributed to vapor identification because the frequency components in that range reflect the dynamics of the detection mechanism of MSS. We also showed the optimal measurement protocol for accurate classification. This study has shown a guideline of the free-hand measurement and will contribute to the practical implementation of machine olfaction in society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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16 pages, 3594 KiB  
Article
3D-Printed Bubble-Free Perfusion Cartridge System for Live-Cell Imaging
by Daigo Terutsuki, Hidefumi Mitsuno and Ryohei Kanzaki
Sensors 2020, 20(20), 5779; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20205779 - 12 Oct 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3987
Abstract
The advent of 3D-printing technologies has had a significant effect on the development of medical and biological devices. Perfusion chambers are widely used for live-cell imaging in cell biology research; however, air-bubble invasion is a pervasive problem in perfusion systems. Although 3D printing [...] Read more.
The advent of 3D-printing technologies has had a significant effect on the development of medical and biological devices. Perfusion chambers are widely used for live-cell imaging in cell biology research; however, air-bubble invasion is a pervasive problem in perfusion systems. Although 3D printing allows the rapid fabrication of millifluidic and microfluidic devices with high resolution, little has been reported on 3D-printed fluidic devices with bubble trapping systems. Herein, we present a 3D-printed millifluidic cartridge system with bent and flat tapered flow channels for preventing air-bubble invasion, irrespective of bubble volume and without the need for additional bubble-removing devices. This system realizes bubble-free perfusion with a user-friendly interface and no-time-penalty manufacturing processes. We demonstrated the bubble removal capability of the cartridge by continually introducing air bubbles with different volumes during the calcium imaging of Sf21 cells expressing insect odorant receptors. Calcium imaging was conducted using a low-magnification objective lens to show the versatility of the cartridge for wide-area observation. We verified that the cartridge could be used as a chemical reaction chamber by conducting protein staining experiments. Our cartridge system is advantageous for a wide range of cell-based bioassays and bioanalytical studies, and can be easily integrated into portable biosensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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14 pages, 4205 KiB  
Article
Study of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids as Gas Sensing Materials in Quartz Crystal Microbalances
by Manuel Aleixandre and Takamichi Nakamoto
Sensors 2020, 20(14), 4026; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20144026 - 20 Jul 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3016
Abstract
Twenty-eight quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors coated with different sensing films were tested and analyzed in this work; twenty-three sensors were coated in different room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and five additional QCM sensors were coated with conventional films commonly used as stationary [...] Read more.
Twenty-eight quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors coated with different sensing films were tested and analyzed in this work; twenty-three sensors were coated in different room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and five additional QCM sensors were coated with conventional films commonly used as stationary phases in gas chromatography. Four volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in gaseous phase—hexanol, butyl acetate, 2-hexanone, and hexanoic acid—were measured. Two transducer mechanisms were used; resonant frequency shift and resistance shift of a QCM Mason equivalent circuit. The sensors were characterized by their sensitivity to the VOCs and their discrimination power of the four VOCs. The highest separation among VOCs was obtained when frequency and resistance information of both RTIL and conventional films was used, a sensor array composed by two RTILs (1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) and two conventional films (tricresyl phosphate and apiezon-L) was found to improve the Wilks lambda separation for the tested gases two orders of magnitude compared to the Wilks lambda using only a conventional films array. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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10 pages, 2151 KiB  
Article
Indirect Sensing of Lower Aliphatic Ester Using Atomic Gold Decorated Polyaniline Electrode
by Parthojit Chakraborty, Yu-An Chien, Tso-Fu Mark Chang, Masato Sone and Takamichi Nakamoto
Sensors 2020, 20(13), 3640; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20133640 - 29 Jun 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2424
Abstract
Novel sensing materials have been formed by decorating polyaniline conducting polymers with atomic gold clusters where the number of atoms is precisely defined. Such materials exhibit unique electrocatalytic properties of electrooxidation to aliphatic alcohols, although analytes with other functional groups have not been [...] Read more.
Novel sensing materials have been formed by decorating polyaniline conducting polymers with atomic gold clusters where the number of atoms is precisely defined. Such materials exhibit unique electrocatalytic properties of electrooxidation to aliphatic alcohols, although analytes with other functional groups have not been studied. This paper reports a study of cyclic voltammetric patterns obtained with bi-atomic gold nanocomposite response to analytes with other functional groups for sensor applications. Principal component analysis shows separation among normal-propanol, iso-propanol and ethyl formate/ethanol groups. Indirect sensing of ethyl formate is demonstrated by electrooxidation of the product upon hydrolysis in alkaline medium. Voltammograms of ethyl formate are studied in gaseous phases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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12 pages, 2268 KiB  
Article
Development of Electronic Nose for Qualitative and Quantitative Monitoring of Volatile Flammable Liquids
by Zhiyuan Wu, Hang Wang, Xiping Wang, Hunlong Zheng, Zhiming Chen and Chun Meng
Sensors 2020, 20(7), 1817; https://doi.org/10.3390/s20071817 - 25 Mar 2020
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 3977
Abstract
A real-time electric nose (E-nose) with a metal oxide sensor (MOS) array was developed to monitor 5 highly flammable liquids (ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, turpentine, lacquer thinner, and gasoline) in this work. We found that temperature had a significant impact on the test results and [...] Read more.
A real-time electric nose (E-nose) with a metal oxide sensor (MOS) array was developed to monitor 5 highly flammable liquids (ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, turpentine, lacquer thinner, and gasoline) in this work. We found that temperature had a significant impact on the test results and temperature control could efficiently improve the performance of our E-nose. The results of our qualitative analysis showed that principal component analysis (PCA) could not efficiently distinguish these samples compared to a back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) which had a 100% accuracy rate on the test samples. Quantitative analysis was performed by regression analysis and the average errors were 9.1%–18.4%. In addition, through anti-interference training, the E-nose could filter out the potential false alarm caused by mosquito repellent, perfume and hair jelly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Olfaction and Taste)
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