Electronic Nose Sniffs Out Infections, Chemicals, Cancer

(cyborg image courtesy of the Focal Point Seminar)

Cnet reports:
Engineers at the University of Warwick say that development of an electronic nose can recognize organic compounds in infections known as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), according to a report this week in New Scientist. The technology could help hospitals prevent outbreaks of the superbug.
Tests at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital on ear, nose and throat swabs from 600 patients showed the e-nose is close to 100% accurate at detecting infections.
The image below is the chip of another electronic nose developed at Caltech which is used in chemical sensing and electronic information processing. These 'noses' by the way don't resemble cyborg nose spare parts attached to human faces. They actually look more like scifi consoles. But electronic noses that detect viruses would be so important today, especially in the wake of WHO announcement of avian flu pandemics.