One of the huge advantages of drones is that these little robots can go to places where
Researchers are interested in developingdevices that can sniff out chemicals in the air to locate survivors of natural disasters, gas leaks, explosives and more. But most human-made sensors are not sensitive enough and fast enough to detect and process certain odors.
A team of scientists led by WashingtonThe university has developed Smellicopter, an autonomous drone that uses the living antennae of a moth to navigate by smell. Smellicopter can also detect obstacles and avoid them while flying.
The moth uses its antennae antennae to sense chemicals in the environment and travel to food sources or potential mates.
The team used the tendrils of the tobacco hawk moth(Manduca sexta) for Smellicopter. The researchers placed the moth in a refrigerator to numb it before removing the antenna. Once separated from a living butterfly, the antenna remains biologically and chemically active for up to four hours. According to the researchers, this time period can be increased by storing the antennas in the refrigerator.
By adding tiny wires to either end of the antenna,the researchers were able to connect it to an electrical circuit and measure the average signal from all the antenna cells. The team then compared it to a typical human-made sensor, placing both on one end of a wind tunnel and creating odors that both sensors respond to: a floral scent and ethanol, a type of alcohol. The antenna reacted faster.
To create Smellicopter, the team addedantenna sensor to a portable, commercially available, open-source quadcopter platform that allows users to add custom functionality. The researchers also added two plastic fins to the back of the drone to create drag and help it constantly navigate into the wind.
Smellicopter can also avoid obstacles withusing four infrared sensors that allow him to measure his surroundings 10 times per second. Another advantage of the Smellicopter is that it doesn't need GPS. Instead, he uses a camera to view his surroundings, much like insects use their eyes. This makes the Smellicopter well-suited for exploring interior or underground areas such as mines or pipes.
Read also
The Doomsday glacier turned out to be more dangerous than scientists thought. We tell the main thing
Found the alleged kingdom of the disappeared Hittites. What have archaeologists found?
There is a flexible and rechargeable battery 10 times more powerful than analogues