NSF: EXP-LA: Olfactory Receptor Cell-Based Detection of Explosives

The objective of this research project is to develop a miniaturized system for detecting explosives based on odorant sensing using mammalian olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). This will be achieved by fabricating an integrated microsystem on which OSNs are cultured and monitored. By detecting the electrical signals produced by OSNs, it would be possible to achieve high-sensitivity, high-specificity, high-speed, stand-off detection of trace amounts of compounds present in explosives.

EXP-LA: Olfactory Receptor Cell-Based Detection of Explosives is a four-year, $800K grant.