From the smell of poo to an electronic nose: Sissi de Beer on the science of smell

Smell may seem straightforward, but a complex process takes place behind every scent. Our nose detects molecules in the air and turns that information into signals that our brain recognises as a particular smell. But can we replicate this process using technology?

That is what Sissi de Beer is working on. She investigates how an electronic nose can detect and recognise smells. In the future, this technology could potentially help detect diseases or quickly identify other substances and abnormalities.

Through her research, Sissi shows how fundamental knowledge can lead to new technological applications. From understanding how our nose works to developing technology that learns to recognise smells in a completely different way.

Curious about the science behind smell? Listen to the Dutch-language podcast by Stichting Universiteit van Nederland, in which Sissi de Beer talks about smelling, scent molecules and her research into the electronic nose.

Listen to the podcast by Stichting Universiteit van Nederland