Microdosing of Scents

Abstract

Microdosing systems based on micropumps, which are applied nearby the nose, will enable the change of scent impressions of human nose at every breath several times a minute. Due to the small dosing volume the scent impression can be detected only once, and no other person in the room can smell the scent. With that, for the first time scent scenarios become possible, analogous to picture scenarios (movies) and sound scenarios (music). Such vision of scent scenarios can be combined with audio and video for applications in the movie, games, and music industry. The technology could also enable new applications for other branches like training of tasters (wine, food) or training tools for sense of smell for kids or adults. To realize this vision, both small and cost-efficient micropumps as well as a tight reservoir technology with small dead volume to provide scent molecules to be dosed are required. This chapter is discussing the dosing chain of scent from the reservoir to the nose, the dynamics of single-breath scent dosing as well as the state of the art of microdosing systems and micropumps.