Biomedical Sensors Laboratory

Research Focus

Welcome to our University research group specialising in artificial olfaction! The Biomedical Sensors Lab (BSL), based in the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick, revolves around the creation, advancement, and utilisation of chemical sensors, sensing systems, for artificial olfaction. With our interdisciplinary team and group of collaborators we develop innovative solutions in various fields such as medical diagnostics, environmental/air quality monitoring, industrial processes, food & beverages and agriculture. We work closely with leading companies to translate our research findings into practical applications that address real-world challenges. Our goal is to establish ourselves as a leading research centre in artificial olfaction and related fields.

Click here to view journal papers from the group.

Current Projects

Our group are working on a wide range of different projects, supported by UKRI, charities and directly from industrial funders. Our activities include both direct research projects and PhD programmes. Below are example areas of current activities:

Agriculture: We are interested in the early detection of crop infection in field, at harvest and in store, focussing on potatoes and onions. Also, we work on technologies to measure greenhouse gas emissions from soils.

Chemical Sensors: Our team work on the development of in the latest in chemical sensors – detecting inorganic gases and volatiles in the air.

Electronic Noses: We work on the development of the latest technologies and approaches to advancing the field of electronic noses – instruments designed to replicate human olfaction.

Environmental Quality: Here we are working in partnership with the local community to measure air quality around School’s in Coventry to understand the level of exposure and to use this information to inform behavioural change.

Medical Diagnostics: We are working with clinical collaborators within the NHS to diagnose disease based on odours from human waste, be it urine, stool, swabs or breath – focussing mainly on cancer and infection.

Olfactory Display: We are working on developing olfactory displays – sometimes call “Smell speakers” digital devices that can release odours in a controlled way with and without sound and vision.

News

Onion Crisis: Researchers Combatting Destructive Crop Disease Costing Farmers £10m Annually

Researchers at The University of Warwick are working to safeguard one of the world's most crucial crops – the humble onion. Amidst growing concerns over the threat posed by Fusarium Basal Rot (FBR), a team of experts from the University is embarking on a ground-breaking project, run by the British Onions Producer Agency (BOPA), aimed at saving our crops and revolutionising FBR detection. Fusarium Basal Rot (FBR) is among the most destructive onion diseases in the world, causing yield losses of over 50%. In the UK, crop losses can reach 40% and cost the industry more than £10million a year.

James Covington, Professor in Electronic Engineering, said:

“Our odour analysis approach provides a non-invasive, non-contact method to monitor Fusarium in-store, even when tons of onions are stored together and where visual inspection is not possible."

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