Developing an Intelligent OlfactometerFor a Psychological Study

Chaiyapoj NetsiriRice University, Houston, TX

Khokiat KengskoolFlorida International University, Miami, FL

Agenda

• Background

• System design

• Hardware

• Software

• Conclusion

Old-fashioned olfaction lab

Chen, D., et al. Percep. Motor Skills. 2000

Smell specimens

One of the three smells is different.

Smell1 Smell3Smell2

Which smell is different?

Problem: The experiment can be labor intensive and prone to error.

Olfactometer system design

Smell1 is being presented.

Keyboard

Display Monitor

Interfacing andSolenoid ValveController

Air and SmellDelivery System

Olfactometer

To subject

Air and smell delivery system

Manifold Solenoid Valve 1

Manifold Solenoid Valve 2

Air Pump

3-way Solenoid Valve

OdorSaturatorBottles

To Subject

Hardware configuration

Bottles

Solinoid valves

Interfacing

Software flowchart

Smell 1?

Showinstruction

Start

OpenSolenoid valve1

Yes

No

Smell 2?

Smell 3?

Repeat?Yes

No

Next task

Software flowchart (E-Prime)

Output data

Conclusion

• Computer controlled olfactometer can reduce labor and human error of experimenter.

• The subject can perform the given task with his/her own pace.

• Data is automatically recorded for further analysis.

• The software provides intelligent interactions.

• The system is inexpensive and easy to build.