Writing for Oregon Public Broadcasting, Jes Burns (@radiojes) tells us about the “Smellcopter,” a machine that uses the antennae of the Carolina sphinx moth to detect odors, and could one day locate dangers such as chemical leaks or sniff out missing people. Unlike an artificial sensor, moth antennae can react quickly to scents, a key trait for a flying machine zooming through a large area trying to pick up one particular smelly signal. Currently the device works great at detecting what moths naturally seek out: floral scents. The University of Washington scientists’ future iterations will include antennae from moths that have been genetically modified to detect scents such as explosives or natural gas. Photo by Brandon Swanson / OPB
Search the site
Recently on NWscience.org
Upcoming events
- 10:00 am – 11:00 am, May 17, 2024 – #FOIAFriday public webinar sessions (every Friday, virtual)
- 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, May 17, 2024 – Precision Medicine in a Post-Genomic Era (virtual available)
- 10:30 am – 11:30 am, May 17, 2024 – Science Communication Reading Group (starts May 17)
- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, May 17, 2024 – OSU - A Veterinary Perspective on the One Health Approach (virtual available)
- 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, May 18, 2024 – Experts on hand at Mount St. Helens for eruption anniversary
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 18, 2024 – UW Aquatic Sciences Open House
- 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, May 20, 2024 – UW invited speaker: Dr. Allie Igwe