Konrad-Zuse-Youth Prize for Computer Science of the Eduard Rhein Foundation: Electronical Nose

The human nose is a marvel of nature. Experts estimate that it can distinguish between billions and billions of scents. However, it is not able to smell all odors and gases. This is where Jakob Zöphel’s research project came in. He developed a kind of electronic nose by interconnecting 17 different gas sensors and integrating them into a housing. In the process, the sensors send their signals to a computer in which software he wrote himself evaluates the data, also with the help of AI algorithms. As a result, the “e-nose” can reliably detect a wide variety of odors, including vinegar, nail polish remover or whiskey. In principle, the innovative odor recognition system could be used in industry, for example for quality control in food production.