A test for smells that can distinguish between real and counterfeit perfumes
has been developed by chemists at the University of Illinois. To make the
sensor, Kenneth Suslick impregnated small teflon discs with 24 compounds called
metalloporphyrins, which contain metal ions. “These are really colourful
compounds,” says Suslick. Because gases cause specific colour changes in each
metalloporphyrin, smelly gases can be identified by the colours on the discs.
“It’s like a litmus test for smells,” says Suslick.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from 51¶¯Âþ
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Health
How ageing on Earth mimics the effects of space travel
Comment
Mathematics
Mathematicians stunned by AI's biggest breakthrough in mathematics yet
51¶¯Âþ
Mind
Epic dreaming is leaving people exhausted and distressed
51¶¯Âþ
Health
Women’s better memories may delay Alzheimer’s diagnosis by years
51¶¯Âþ
Popular articles
Trending 51¶¯Âþ articles
1
Mathematicians stunned by AI's biggest breakthrough in mathematics yet
2
The Selfish Gene at 50: Why Dawkins’s evolution classic still holds up
3
How I used psychology to come back from the worst year of my life
4
Photos reveal unexpected details from the world's first atomic test
5
Mystery of the ancient giant stone jars of Laos may have been solved
6
The distant world that is our best hope of finding alien life
7
Can we harness quantum effects to create a new kind of healthcare?
8
Why autism pioneer Uta Frith wants to dismantle the spectrum
9
Epic dreaming is leaving people exhausted and distressed
10
Women’s better memories may delay Alzheimer’s diagnosis by years
