For the first time, science magazine Quest organised the Quest Science Awards, recognising the best research and researchers of the past year. Five studies were nominated for the public vote. While the other three winners were selected by a jury, the winner in the Research of the Year category was chosen by the public. De Beer received 37 percent of the votes, earning her the award.
‘I'm absolutely delighted to be here,’ De Beer said on stage, according to Quest. She emphasised that her students had been indispensable to the research: ‘They were the ones who actually built the electronic nose.’
The electronic nose
The electronic nose, developed with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), can detect and identify different smells. It can detect odours faster than humans and locate their source more quickly. De Beer is working with students to develop technology that can detect and recognise a range of different scents.
In the future, the technology could be used to detect hazardous substances and explosives. Another aim is for the system to help locate survivors trapped under rubble, for example following an earthquake.
