What's Happening?
Researchers, including Lev Chizhov, have developed a method to induce smell sensations using ultrasound targeted at the olfactory bulb. By placing a transducer on the forehead, they were able to stimulate
the olfactory bulb, resulting in the perception of various smells such as fresh air, garbage, ozone, and burning wood. This novel approach uses a custom headset guided by MRI to precisely target areas of the olfactory bulb. Although the sample size is currently small, the technique shows potential for applications in virtual reality and other sensory experiences.
Why It's Important?
This innovative use of ultrasound to manipulate the sense of smell could revolutionize sensory experiences in virtual reality and entertainment industries. It opens possibilities for creating immersive environments where users can experience smells as part of the digital interaction. Additionally, this research could lead to advancements in understanding the olfactory system and developing new therapeutic techniques for conditions affecting the sense of smell. The ability to induce specific smells could also have applications in marketing and product development.
