Skip to main content

Science

Science

Biosensors
Mimicking olfactory neurons
Decoding emotions
The smell of joy
Synesthesia
Seeing colors

1. Volatile Molecular Fingerprint of Emotions

From our conversation with Dr. Jasper de Groot, we learned that the latest research in neuroscience is focused on identifying volatile molecules that are differentially present when a person experiences a specific emotion. Dr. de Groot strongly believes that in the future, we will be able to decode a wide range of emotions through these molecular fingerprints (Loos et al., 2023). For instance, he mentioned that fear is associated with the differential detection of 3-7 molecules. However, he expressed concerns about the manageability of extracting more ambivalent emotions, such as nostalgia, mixed feelings, or bittersweet emotions, due to their complex and overlapping molecular profiles.
From our conversation with Dr. Jasper de Groot, we learned that the latest research in neuroscience is focused on identifying volatile molecules that are differentially present when a person experiences a specific emotion. Dr. de Groot strongly believes that in the future, we will be able to decode a wide range of emotions through these molecular fingerprints. For instance, he mentioned that fear is associated with the differential detection of 3-7 molecules. However, he expressed concerns about the manageability of extracting more ambivalent emotions, such as nostalgia, mixed feelings, or bittersweet emotions, due to their complex and overlapping molecular profiles.

2. Biosensors

In discussions with Dr. Joseph Azzarelli, whose company Azztek One develops biosensors for healthcare applications, we explored the latest advancements in bionanoelectronic noses. These sensors use artificial membrane nanospheres displaying GPCR machinery, which can be engineered for specificity to various molecules (Kwon et al., 2019). Dr. Azzarelli suggested utilizing genomic digging or AI-powered technologies to identify specific receptors in silico. These nanospheres, functioning similarly to olfactory neurons, are deposited on graphene tubes that detect changes in conductivity caused by binding events. While this design is highly sensitive and straightforward, it also presents challenges in terms of device fragility and cost due to the expensive semiconductor tubes. Despite these challenges, Dr. Azzarelli remains optimistic about the future feasibility of such technologies for various applications.
In discussions with Dr. Joseph Azzarelli, whose company Azztek One develops biosensors for healthcare applications, we explored the latest advancements in bionanoelectronic noses. These sensors use artificial membrane nanospheres displaying GPCR machinery, which can be engineered for specificity to various molecules. Dr. Azzarelli suggested utilizing genomic digging or AI-powered technologies to identify specific receptors in silico. These nanospheres, functioning similarly to olfactory neurons, are deposited on graphene tubes that detect changes in conductivity caused by binding events. While this design is highly sensitive and straightforward, it also presents challenges in terms of device fragility and cost due to the expensive semiconductor tubes. Despite these challenges, Dr. Azzarelli remains optimistic about the future feasibility of such technologies for various applications.

3. Decoding Emotional Scent

Once the volatile molecules are detected, the next step is to translate these signals into an electrical output that can be assigned to a particular emotion. A Google Brain spin-off company, Osmo, is pioneering technology that teaches computers to smell, already performing on par with the human nose. We hope that such technologies will enable the decoding of more ambivalent emotions and the differentiation between individuals emitting the volatile molecules. This capability would allow for a holistic synesthetic experience, maximizing sensory augmentation and providing a deeper understanding of emotional states.
Once the volatile molecules are detected, the next step is to translate these signals into an electrical output that can be assigned to a particular emotion. A Google Brain spin-off company, Osmo, is pioneering technology that teaches computers to smell, already performing on par with the human nose. We hope that such technologies will enable the decoding of more ambivalent emotions and the differentiation between individuals emitting the volatile molecules. This capability would allow for a holistic synesthetic experience, maximizing sensory augmentation and providing a deeper understanding of emotional states.

4. State of the Art Technology

Currently, numerous machine olfaction companies focus on healthcare and defense applications, which are well-funded domains supporting novel research. Companies such as Koniku, Noze, and Sensory Restoration Technologies are leading the way. Sensory Restoration Technologies, in particular, aims to develop an olfactory aid device, sharing a similar goal to ours. The significant interest from investors in these companies underscores the potential feasibility of our project. Despite the confidentiality of specific technologies, the advancements in this field suggest that our envisioned product, nos, is within reach.
Currently, numerous machine olfaction companies focus on healthcare and defense applications, which are well-funded domains supporting novel research. Companies such as Koniku, Noze, and Sensory Restoration Technologies are leading the way. Sensory Restoration Technologies, in particular, aims to develop an olfactory aid device, sharing a similar goal to ours. The significant interest from investors in these companies underscores the potential feasibility of our project. Despite the confidentiality of specific technologies, the advancements in this field suggest that our envisioned product, nos, is within reach.

5. Translating Scent into Color Perception

Our decision to translate scent signals into color perception instead of directly into scent was influenced by several factors. Research shows that detecting another person’s emotions through scent can modulate behavior, but the specific neural pathways involved remain unclear. We cannot yet confirm the presence of olfactory receptors capable of detecting these molecules or the corresponding neurons for direct stimulation. Furthermore, after speaking with anosmic individual Tara Scudder, we recognized the heavy ethical implications of fully imitating the olfactory experience. Tara preferred a more associative approach, such as a running line of subtitles describing the sensations. Consequently, we decided to translate scent signals into color perceptions, allowing users to form idiosyncratic links and tune their experiences to personal preferences.

Our decision to translate scent signals into color perception instead of directly into scent was influenced by several factors. Research shows that detecting another person’s emotions through scent can modulate behavior, but the specific neural pathways involved remain unclear. We cannot yet confirm the presence of olfactory receptors capable of detecting these molecules or the corresponding neurons for direct stimulation. Furthermore, after speaking with anosmic individual Tara Scudder, we recognized the heavy ethical implications of fully imitating the olfactory experience. Tara preferred a more associative approach, such as a running line of subtitles describing the sensations. Consequently, we decided to translate scent signals into color perceptions, allowing users to form idiosyncratic links and tune their experiences to personal preferences.

6. Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Tara also emphasized her preference for a non-invasive device. Her concerns stemmed from the current lack of proven safety for brain implants, an issue that might be resolved in the future. Nonetheless, we took her feedback seriously and explored alternatives to invasive brain implants. Our research revealed numerous studies on transcranial brain stimulation used to excite neurons in specific brain regions. We extrapolated these technologies to envision inducing a synesthetic experience in response to detecting an emotional fingerprint in the air, ensuring a non-invasive and user-friendly approach.
Tara also emphasized her preference for a non-invasive device. Her concerns stemmed from the current lack of proven safety for brain implants, an issue that might be resolved in the future. Nonetheless, we took her feedback seriously and explored alternatives to invasive brain implants. Our research revealed numerous studies on transcranial brain stimulation used to excite neurons in specific brain regions. We extrapolated these technologies to envision inducing a synesthetic experience in response to detecting an emotional fingerprint in the air, ensuring a non-invasive and user-friendly approach.

Courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University

7. How Far Away Are We?

Based on the gathered evidence, we can confidently state that the individual technologies envisioned for our speculative product, nos, already exist. It is potentially only a matter of a few years before such technologies emerge and converge. This anticipation underscores the importance of shedding light on this topic now, to initiate reflection on the multifaceted world of machine olfaction, its broader context, and the bioethical and biosafety considerations it entails.

Based on the gathered evidence, we can confidently state that the individual technologies envisioned for our speculative product, nos, already exist. It is potentially only a matter of a few years before such technologies emerge and converge. This anticipation underscores the importance of shedding light on this topic now, to initiate reflection on the multifaceted world of machine olfaction, its broader context, and the bioethical and biosafety considerations it entails.