Researchers Induce Smells With Ultrasound, No Chemical Cartridges Required

Independent researchers developed a revolutionary device that creates artificial smells using ultrasound waves directed at the brain's olfactory bulb, eliminating the need for chemical cartridges that plagued previous smell-simulation attempts. The forehead-mounted prototype uses focused 300 kHz ultrasound to induce various scents including fresh air, garbage, ozone, and campfire smells by targeting the olfactory region through the skull. This breakthrough could bring practical smell simulation to virtual reality without the regulatory issues, refill requirements, and lingering odors that doomed earlier chemical-based systems.