3 ms·
To actually synthesize the smell molecules would pretty much require (Star Trek) replicator levels of technology. Also, if/when we do have them, I'm sure that
by falcor84 3y ago
To actually synthesize the smell molecules would pretty much require (Star Trek) replicator levels of technology.
Also, if/when we do have them, I'm sure that HN will fill up with inflammatory content about whether it's ok that the companies that make them only sell a "censored" model that disallows synthesizing toxins.
- amelius 3y agoI'm not sure if that is true. E.g. we might be able to synthesize smells like we cook food, where there is little to no danger of producing toxins from innocent ingredients.
- 1letterunixname 3y ago"But I want the real, cancer-causing new car smell with benzene and styrene VOCs!" Home theater odor playback was already tried in the 70's and 80's and it was a colossal failure. Argument about it is moot because it's a stupid idea that went nowhere, and that doesn't even begin to address attempting to make a mass spec digital nose. Plus, it's unlikely odors are noticed or perceived uniformly across individuals.
- neontomo 3y agoThat's only if we're trying to replicate the smells physically though right? I mean, we could also trigger the brains neurons to "think" that we're smelling something. Not sure how we'd know which ones to fire, but with brain implants advancing I wouldn't be surprised if this became a reality one day.