Inscentinel
Inscentinel was a British firm based at Rothamsted Experimental Station in Hertfordshire. They specialise in the development of insect olfaction technologies[1][2] for the detection of trace chemicals, specifically Hymenoptera training techniques and technologies.
History
[edit]Inscentinel was founded in 2000, and was a spin-out resulting from a joint venture project between Unilever[3] and Rothamsted Research.[4] The firm was backed with venture capital,[5][6] funding from the British Government, and other investment.
Technology
[edit]Conventionally, detection of chemicals at low vapour pressures has been based on mass spectrometry, gas chromatography and the use of sniffer dogs. Insect olfaction is sensitive down to parts per trillion[7] and the use of insects to conduct searches for illegal drugs, and explosives[8]—particularly in security[9] applications such as demining—is envisaged.[10] The technology has been tested by QinetiQ for Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.[11] Potential health uses are also reported,[12] such as for TB.[13] Inscentinel is a patent holder.[14][15] The species of bee used is Apis mellifera.[16]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Inscentinel Ltd". USA Today Website. USA Today. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "sniffer bees". CNet News. Cnet. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Pearson Matthews Research & Development". PMUK Website. PMUK. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Companies associated with Rothamsted Research". Rothamsted Research Website. Rothamsted Research. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "OT3 Annual Statement" (PDF). Oxford Technology 3 Annual Statement. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Portfolio - Environmental Technologies". Midven Website. Midven. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Inscentinel Develops Bee-Based Sensor Device to Detect Explosives". AZO Sensors website. AZO sensors. April 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Sniffer bees set to snare suicide bombers". This is London Website. This Is London. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ Hutchinson, Alex. "Bees vs. Bombs". Popular Mechanics. Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Inscentinel Honeybees Sniff For Explosives: Science Fiction in the NewsInscentinel Honeybees Sniff For Explosives: Science Fiction in the News". Science Profiles Website. Science Profiles. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Pre-Trial Assessment (PTA) of the Inscentinel system using bees for detection of explosives". GICHD Website. GICHD. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Bees Can Sniff Out Disease in Humans". Daily Express Website. Express Group Newspapers. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Null Hypothesis | News".
- ^ "Detection of odors using insects". Justia Patents Website. Justia. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Insect Loading System". PatentStormUS. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ Khot, Anna (10 January 2010). "Humble Honey Bee Helping National Security". Naked Scientists Website. Naked Scientists. Retrieved 3 March 2012.