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We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
121–130 of 198 posts
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#122...is this safe?
This is absolutely my question as well - curious if it's legal to do this, I'm guessing yes as it's an existing ultrasound device? But is there possibility of permanent damage? It's objectively cool, but very curious about the safety as well.
This is the coolest part! Turns out, the powers you need are actually lower than what is used for imaging babies :) We measured our probe with a hydrophone on a computer-controlled scanner to get the pressure field, and made sure that it's below diagnostic levels (the generally accepted mechanical index limit is 1.9 and ours was 0.4 peak). We also made sure to avoid the eyes and keep thermals in check.
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#123What about all the other senses?
Lev also found vestibular! Email or dm him on twitter :)
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#124[deleted]
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#125As someone who was born without a sense of smell this is incredibly intriguing to me.
I've always wondered if there's gonna be a time in my life where I'd be able to experience *any* kind of smell through some new scientific discovery. And maybe this is it.
Could I shoot you guys a message when I make my way down to Caltech to try this out someday? :)
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#126You write that "The olfactory bulb can vary in size by up to 3x, depending on "age and olfactory experience", so perhaps (we're making this up) with more usage your olfactory bulb might actually get bigger" which certainly does not seem out of the question. What we can assume with even greater likelihood is that the sense of smell works better when regularly stimulated. Even if your method did not have any commercial applications in entertainment it could likely (at least if this method scales beyond 4 distinct sensations) have therapeutic potential for people who suffer from blocked noses, chronic sinusitis, allergies or other conditions that block their sense of smell for physical reasons. It might even be used by Sommeliers to retain the capacity for their tradecraft while unable to use their actual nose while suffering from a cold. As we know that there is a strong association between smell and memory there are many other useful therapeutic and educational applications that come to mind if this technology can be made safe for broader consumer use. Right now, regardless of protocols used, you are somewhere on the spectrum between shining nascent lasers at your eyes to determine whether they work and emit light output (which doesn't scale with an increase in power) and the nobel prize worthy quadrant of Jonas Salk and Barry Marshall. While I do hope you succeed and I'd hate for you to be overly cautious I also hope your (olfactory) neurons survive!
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#127My prediction is that in the not-to-distant future, we’re all going to live indefinitely in simulations that optimized for human experience. To do this, AIs will “highjack” our nervous systems and feed generated worlds to use to experience. This kind of thing makes it seem like it’s pretty realistic.
How do you know it hasn't already happened?
If it has already happened it’s shit and I want my money back.
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#128Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not joking, my mom has asked me every year since I became a "tech person" when I am going to make smellovision. This is perfect for her.
She should be careful what she wishes for.
All those blocked sewerage plumbing videos are going to have another subscription tier
Re: We Induced Smells With Ultrasound
#129This would be very cool within a game setting. Just imagine feeling the sensation of fresh air as you go through a door. Even if it were small effects it could add a huge leap in realism and immersion. Smell is a very powerful sense.