Of the five senses - sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell - the first two have been extensively exploited by the electronics industry. With a camcorder/smartphone camera we can record any thing that we see/hear. However the remaining three senses are somewhat enigmatic. This effort takes a jab at one of them, specifically smell.

The human nose uses a complex system of interconnected receptors and neurons, which conduct signals to the limbic system in the brain for interpretation. In an Olfactory chip an array of chemical sensors is used to mimic the range of protein receptors in the human nose.

The electronics replaces the neurons in the olfactory limbic system and the computer or microprocessor acts as the brain. The signals that get sent to the computer can be interpreted using special pattern recognition software.

Possible applications:

1. You are in a Botanical Garden enjoying the beauty of nature hearing the sounds of the resident members of various avian species. With a recording device the experience can be captured and stored. However the garden also presents a myriad aromatic fragrances of flowers and exotic plants. Now with your - olfactory chip equipped gadget - even the intoxicating smell of the nearby gardenias can be recorded for playback decades later.

2. You are watching a coveted baking show being televised. The presenter is captivating the audience with an array of wet and dry ingredients. However, the divine sight of Tres leches cake just is not complete without the accompanying sweetest smell. Voila....Olfactory chip to the rescue. The transceiver bundles the olfactory components to the processed signal, delivered to the audience in towns small and large !