New technology could let people share smells online

Researchers have developed a new technology that can identify different smells using an electronic nose and recreate similar scents through a wearable device.

The technology called Centronic, detects a particular smell and sends instructions to a remote device worn on the body. The device then releases scented molecules to produce a smell similar to the original one.

Chun-Yu Yang, a doctoral student in Materials Science and Engineering at Ohio State University and the lead author of the study explained that the technology connects two processes detecting a smell in one location and recreating a similar scent somewhere else.

How could this technology change digital experiences?

The main goal of this technology is to add the sense of smell to the digital experiences people already share online through pictures and sounds.

For example, in the future people may be able to experience scents while watching videos or sharing digital content with others. This could make online experiences feel more realistic, engaging and lifelike.

The technology could open new possibilities for digital communication and allow people to share more than just images and sounds over the internet.