Electronic Nose is revolutionizing water quality monitoring
Imagine if technology could mimic our sense of smell to detect and analyze odors, just as our noses do. You don’t need to imagine, because it’s already here – the electronic nose, or “e-nose,” a device that simulates the human olfactory system to detect and identify odors and flavors.
While the human nose relies on a complex network of receptors and neurons, an e-nose uses an array of sensors to detect volatile compounds in the air, and some other parameters as well such as temperature, humidity, etc. The sensors detect unique signal patterns for different substances, which are then processed by a trained machine learning algorithm to classify and identify specific odors, bacteria, or even the quality of agricultural products.
The Unity4Water project: Addressing water quality challenges
One of the most promising applications of e-nose technology is in water quality monitoring, particularly within the Unity4Water project. This initiative focuses on the reuse of reclaimed water, including reclaimed wastewater, for irrigation. The challenge lies in determining the safety and quality of this water, especially its bacterial content.
– RISE has successfully conducted an in-vitro detection of salmonella, e-coli and some other bacteria using the e-nose already in 2020, says Michael Popoff, PhD, senior scientist at RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden and one of the leading partners in the Unity4Water project.
Traditionally, water quality assessment has been a time-consuming and costly process, often requiring extensive laboratory analyses. However, the e-nose offers a game-changing solution by providing quick, on-site, and cost-effective analysis.
By detecting the amount of E. coli bacteria in the water, the e-nose helps determine the exact level of treatment required before the water can be safely used for irrigation. This not only saves time and money but also ensures that the water meets safety standards, thereby reducing the risk of contamination in crops and soil.
Advantages of e-nose technology
The e-nose offers several significant advantages over traditional water monitoring methods. One of the most notable benefits is its ability to deliver nearly real-time results in a digital format. Unlike conventional methods, which often involve complex chemical reactions and expensive equipment, the e-nose requires minimal sample preparation and does not disrupt the water body. This makes it ideal for continuous monitoring, allowing for proactive management of water quality.
Challenges of e-nose technology
However, the technology is not without its challenges. Current e-nose designs are primarily intended for air analysis, meaning that when used to detect bacteria like E. coli in water, the sample must first be evaporated. This requirement has spurred ongoing research and development to create a more compact, portable, and water-specific e-nose prototype. The project team ensures the accuracy and reliability of the e-nose data by calibrating the hardware, validating the AI algorithms, and comparing results with other proven measurement methods.
What’s ahead of us
The future looks promising for e-nose technology, in water management and other environmental sectors. Although somewhat overlooked in recent years, advanced sensors like the e-nose are gaining recognition, thanks in part to initiatives like the PiiA program and Unity4Water project, financed by Vinnova. The potential applications of e-noses extend beyond water quality to areas such as air quality monitoring and hazardous gas detection. As AI and sensor technologies continue to evolve, the e-nose could become an indispensable tool in environmental management, helping us to better understand and protect our planet.
