Quantitative Biosciences Thesis Proposal
Alexander Bo Lee
School of Biological Sciences
Advisor: Dr. David Hu (Schools of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Sciences)
Open to the Community
Sniffing for Underwater Olfaction
Wednesday, July 18th, 2018
10:00am
Love Building, Room 210
Committee Members:
Dr. Julia Kubanek, School of Biological Sciences; Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Donald Webster, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Peng Qiu, School of Biomedical Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology
Abstract:
Detecting chemicals in aquatic environments plays an important role in everything from agriculture to oceanography. However, chemical sensors submerged in water develop films of bacteria and algae, requiring cleaning and recalibration in a matter of days. Star-nosed moles show us an innovative solution, having found a way to smell odors underwater, without allowing their olfactory receptors to make direct contact with the water. Star-nosed moles can sniff for prey underwater by rapidly exhaling and inhaling bubbles that capture odors and transport them to the receptors. Very little is known about how they achieve this, without losing the bubble to pinch-off, and still collect vital chemical information about their environment. In this thesis, we aim for a greater understanding and appreciation of this incredible behavior by pursuing three objectives. We investigate the star-nosed mole and how the geometry of its nose allows the bubble to produce a counterweight effect that stabilizes itself against the nose. We then consider the dynamics of underwater sniffing and how controlling the flow rate may contribute to preventing pinch-off and altering the shape of the bubble. Finally, we will look at the transfer of odors from the environment to the bubble and attempt to replicate underwater sniffing with our own e-nose. Understanding how the star-nosed mole is able to sniff underwater will be the first step in expanding machine olfaction to underwater applications.
