But now scientists and entrepreneurs are redoubling their efforts to recreate the sense of smell in compact devices that detect and analyze odors similar to the way cameras now recognize our faces and microphones our words. In pursuit of these high-tech devices–which could use odors to detect disease like cancer or Covid-19, locate hidden explosives or decipher our moods and behaviors--some companies are leveraging advances in synthetic biology and genetic engineering. Others are harnessing advances in artificial intelligence. "It's absolutely a growing field," says Andreas Mershin, an odor-sensor researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He calls the field an "unexplored goldmine."

ARUSHA, Tanzania: Nigerian neuroscientist Oshiorenoya Agabi may have found a way to solve one of life's puzzling dilemmas: how to make air travel pleasant again. What if you could skip tedious airport security lines, while a special device able to sniff out explosives works silently in the background? This is only one of the possible uses of what Agabi says is the world's first neurotechnology device developed by his Silicon Valley-based start-up Koniku and unveiled at the TEDGlobal conference in Tanzania Sunday (Aug 27). While those in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are working furiously to create machines that can mimic the brain, or - like tech entrepreneur Elon Musk - implant computers in our brains, Agabi has found a way to merge lab-grown neurons with electronic circuitry. As many grapple with the finite processing power of silicon, the 38-year-old said he had looked to the brain which is "the most powerful processor the universe has ever seen."

A technology expert has created a computer chip based on mice neurons that could recognise the smell of explosives. The device could be implanted into the brain of future robots, which could be trained to recognise danger via odours, replacing traditional airport security. The Koniku Kore device is a'world first' that is able to breath in and smell air, meaning it could detect volatile chemicals and explosives or even illnesses such as cancer. The Koniku Kore device is a'world first' that is able to breath in and smell air - meaning it could detect volatile chemicals and explosives or even illnesses such as cancer (stock image) Named the Koniku Kore, the modem-sized device could provide the brain for future robots. Instead of being based on silicon, the Koniku Kore is built using mice neurons.