Biomedical Sensors Laboratory
Research Focus
Welcome to the Biomedical Sensors Laboratory (BSL), a research group within the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick specialising in artificial olfaction. Our work centres on the design, development, and application of advanced chemical sensors and sensing systems that mimic the human sense of smell.
With an interdisciplinary team and a network of collaborators, we are creating innovative solutions across a wide range of fields, including medical diagnostics, environmental and air quality monitoring, industrial process control, food and beverage safety, and agriculture. By working closely with industry partners, we ensure that our research is translated into practical technologies that address real-world challenges.
Our vision is to be recognised as a leading centre for research in artificial olfaction and related sensor technologies, advancing knowledge while delivering meaningful impact for society.
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. We are also developing technologies to measure greenhouse gas emissions from soil.
Chemical Sensors: Our team work on the development of 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 alongside clinical collaborators within the NHS to implement improved disease diagnosis based on odours from human waste, be it urine, stool, swabs or breath – focussing mainly on cancers and infectious diseases.
Olfactory Display: We are working on developing olfactory displays, sometimes called “smell speakers”; digital devices that can release odours in a controlled way with and without sound and vision. Currently, one of these speakers is in use at the Shakespeare museum in Stratford-upon-Avon, replicating the smell of the roses from Shakespeare's cottage.
News
A Scent of ShakespeareLink opens in a new window
Step into Shakespeare’s garden through the power of scent. At Shakespeare's New Place, visitors can explore four rose fragrances recreated with cutting-edge olfactory technology, blending science, history, and art to bring the Bard’s world vividly to life.
Onion Crisis: Researchers Combatting Destructive Crop Disease Costing Farmers £10m AnnuallyLink opens in a new window
Warwick researchers are developing cutting-edge odour analysis tools to detect Fusarium Basal Rot, a devastating disease that causes massive onion crop losses worldwide. In partnership with the British Onions Producer Agency, the project aims to safeguard harvests and reduce industry losses of over £10 million annually.
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."