German research and service centre Hohenstein Institutes will unveil a new analytical method that can be used to characterise odour molecules in qualitative terms t Avantex/Techtextil in Frankfurt, Germany, on June 10-12.

The analysis, developed using GC/MS-technology, simulates the human nose and is able to identify odour molecules released from textiles and other materials, including the odour of human skin. It is also able to chemically determine the relevant odour molecules accurately, including representing the relevant chemical structure. However, unlike the human nose, the new process can also determine the exact quantity of odour molecules released.