Electronic nose visualized in a modern way at air-Q
Air quality

The electronic nose: a way to improve air quality and health

In a world where air quality is critical to your health and productivity, the electronic nose offers an innovative solution to monitor and improve your environment. In this article you will learn how this technology works, what health benefits it offers and how it can help you.

Author:

Lena Bremstahler

Date:

11.4.2025

You will find the following content in our article:

The electronic nose is a groundbreaking technology for monitoring air quality. It helps to detect harmful pollutants such as particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Through continuous measurements and an integrated early warning system, it enables a proactive response to air pollution. This not only helps to prevent respiratory diseases, but also improves general well-being. Reports from users show how the electronic nose can bring about positive changes in air quality and health in various environments, from private homes to offices and schools.

How sure are you about the air you breathe every day?

In a world where air quality is critical to your health and productivity, the electronic nose offers an innovative solution to monitor and improve your environment. In this article, you will learn how this technology works, what health benefits it offers and how it can help you lead a healthier life. Let's discover together how the electronic nose can change your life!

Electronic nose explained at air-Q

The role of the electronic nose in air quality

The electronic nose is an innovative device for monitoring air quality and detecting pollutants in the environment. This technology has proven to be essential in ensuring that the air we breathe is free from harmful contaminants. The electronic nose works with a variety of sensors that are able to identify different chemical compounds. These sensors are specifically designed to respond to a wide range of airborne constituents, including particulates (PM₁, PM₂,₅ and PM₁₀) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By precisely detecting these pollutants, the electronic nose can provide valuable information about air quality that is crucial for your health and well-being.

What makes an electronic nose?

An electronic nose is much more than a simple measuring device; it is a complex system designed to continuously monitor air quality. The technology behind the electronic nose includes advanced sensors that detect chemical changes in the air. These sensors are able to identify specific molecules and measure their concentrations. Through the use of algorithms, the collected data is analyzed and converted into understandable information. This allows you to react quickly and easily to changes in air quality and minimize potential health risks.

How does the electronic nose work?

The functionality of an electronic nose is based on sensors that can identify specific chemical compounds. These sensors often work according to the principle of chemical reaction: when a pollutant comes into contact with a sensor, its electrical conductivity or another physical parameter changes. These changes are then measured and analyzed. For example, some sensors may be particularly sensitive to particulates , while others are specifically designed to detect VOCs. The combination of different sensor types allows the electronic nose to paint a comprehensive picture of air quality, helping you to make informed decisions about your environment.

Areas of application for the electronic nose

The electronic nose is used in various areas, from industry to private households. In industrial environments, it is often used to monitor air quality in production facilities and ensure that no harmful emissions are released into the environment. It also plays an important role in health monitoring. In medical facilities, the electronic nose can help to detect hazardous substances at an early stage and thus reduce the risk of damage to health. The electronic nose is also becoming increasingly important in the private sector. More and more households are using this technology to improve their indoor air quality and create a healthy living environment.

Health benefits of the electronic nose

Using an electronic nose can provide significant health benefits by helping you to improve air quality. At a time when indoor air pollution and pollutants are of increasing concern, the electronic nose is an effective tool to actively monitor your environment and minimize potential health risks.

  • Prevention of respiratory diseases: A key benefit of the electronic nose is its ability to detect harmful particles such as particulates (PM₁, PM₂,₅ and PM₁₀) in the air. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inflammation and other respiratory diseases. By continuously monitoring air quality, you can react early to increased levels of particulate matter and take action to reduce your exposure if necessary. This is particularly important for people with existing respiratory conditions or allergies, as they are more sensitive to such pollutants.
  • Reducing VOCs indoors: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are another group of pollutants found in many homes. These chemical compounds can come from a variety of sources, including paints, cleaning products and furniture. The electronic nose helps you monitor the concentration of VOCs in your environment and take action to improve air quality if necessary. Reducing these compounds can not only benefit your overall health, but also reduce the risk of headaches, dizziness and other symptoms associated with poor air quality.
  • Improving general well-being: Monitoring air quality through the electronic nose not only contributes to physical health, but also has a positive impact on your general well-being. Clean and fresh air has been proven to have a positive impact on concentration and productivity. If you work or live in a space where the air quality is constantly monitored and optimized, you will not only feel more comfortable, but you can also increase your performance. Studies have shown that improved air quality contributes to a higher quality of life and reduces stress.
  • Support for allergies and asthma: For people with allergies or asthma, the electronic nose can be an indispensable aid. By detecting allergens such as pollen or mould spores in the air, you can take proactive measures to minimize your exposure. For example, you could decide to close windows or use air purifiers when levels rise. This timely response can help prevent allergic reactions or asthma attacks, allowing you to live a healthier life.
  • Promoting a healthy living environment: Another key benefit of the electronic nose is its ability to promote a healthy living environment. In modern households, we spend a lot of time indoors, where the air quality is often worse than outdoors. The electronic nose offers you the opportunity to actively monitor the air quality and thus improve the indoor climate. By using this technology, you can ensure that your family lives in a clean and healthy environment.

The health benefits of the electronic nose are manifold and range from preventing respiratory diseases to improving your general well-being. By actively monitoring your air quality, you are making an important decision for your health and your living environment.

Safety features of the electronic nose

The safety features of an electronic nose ensure that you can live and work in a healthy environment. At a time when air quality is increasingly in the spotlight, it is essential to use technology that not only detects pollutants but also enables proactive measures to improve air quality. The electronic nose is equipped with various safety features that aim to identify hazardous air pollutants at an early stage, allowing you to make informed decisions.

  • Early warning system for air pollution: A key safety feature of the electronic nose is its integrated early warning system. This system continuously monitors air quality and immediately detects when concentrations of pollutants such as particulates or VOCs exceed a critical threshold. As soon as such a situation is detected, the electronic nose immediately sends alerts to your smartphone or connected device. These real-time alerts are crucial to be able to react quickly to changes in air quality. For example, you can close windows or activate air purifiers to minimize your exposure to harmful substances.
  • User-friendly interface and smart widgets: The user interface of the app, which is connected to the electronic nose, is intuitively designed and allows you to easily navigate through the various functions. The integration of smart widgets within the app significantly improves the user experience. These interactive tools provide you with visual representations of the collected data and help you to identify trends in air quality. Through this visualized data analysis, you can better understand when and where the air quality is at its worst and take appropriate action.
  • Automatic calibration for precise measurements: Another important safety feature is the automatic calibration of the sensors. The electronic nose automatically adapts to changes in the environment in order to always provide precise measurements. This function is particularly important as it ensures that the sensors work reliably under different conditions. Accurate measurement is crucial for the detection of hazardous contaminants and therefore contributes significantly to the safety of your environment.
  • Long-term health monitoring: The electronic nose not only offers short-term safety benefits through the immediate detection of air pollution, but also supports long-term health monitoring. By continuously recording air quality data, you can analyze patterns and trends over time. This information is valuable for your health as it can help you detect seasonal allergies or other health issues early on. By reviewing this data regularly, you can take targeted action to improve your quality of life.
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Summary

What is an electronic nose?
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An electronic nose is a technological device designed to detect and analyze odors. It works similarly to the human olfactory system by identifying different chemical compounds in the air. Electronic noses use sensors to measure the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other odorous substances, which allows them to differentiate between different odors.
How does an odor sensor work?
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An odor sensor works by picking up molecules in the air and analyzing them with specific sensors. When a molecule binds to the sensor, its electrical conductivity or another physical parameter changes. These changes are then converted into digital signals that allow the device to determine the type and concentration of the odor.
How can odor be measured?
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Odors can be measured using a variety of methods, with electronic noses being the most advanced and accurate technology. These devices use a combination of chemical sensors and data analysis algorithms to quantify the concentration of odorous substances in the air. In addition, mobile apps or smart widgets can be used to display and interpret the collected data in real time, helping you to make informed decisions about your environment.
Why do you need an electronic nose?
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Electronic noses offer numerous health benefits. These range from preventing respiratory diseases to improving your general well-being. By taking an active role in monitoring your air quality, you are making an important decision for your health and your living environment.
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