Comprehensive development of an olfactory sensor system

Abstract

“Olfactory sensors” have been one of the most difficult challenges for science and technology. To realize a practical olfactory sensor, we are now trying to establish the basic technologies based on the recently developed nanomechanical sensor “MSS” which overcomes long standing issues as a practical sensing platform. On the other hand, both hardware and software technologies such as smartphones and big data analyses have been rapidly growing. The integration of all the basic and industrial technologies will lead to the realization of a practical olfactory sensor. We review the basic mechanism and process of the key technologies such as sensing elements, receptors, and signal analysis as well as the ongoing industry-academia-government joint research framework “MSS Alliance”.