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VOA科学技术2022--Artificial Intelligence Tool Aims to Identify, Predict Smells

时间:2022-10-05 22:59:14

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Artificial Intelligence Tool Aims to Identify, Predict Smells

American researchers have created a technology tool that aims to identify and re-create different smells.

The system is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The tool was developed and tested by researchers at Google, universities and the Monell Chemical Senses Center. The team recently released results of their method and described the process in an article in the publication Proceedings1 of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers said smells, also called odors, are produced by molecules3 released into the air. Those molecules then enter our noses and are processed there by "sensory4 receptors." Those receptors send signals to the brain to help us recognize smells.

The team said smells are identified in a way similar to how we identify and measure colors – using sensory maps. For example, maps – like the traditional color wheel – can show many different colors. Such maps present color combinations and show how the colors blend with each other.

But the researchers said that historically, "useful maps for smell have been missing." This is because the molecules related to smell are much more complex. They depend on more than photon particles used to see colors.

In addition, the researchers said that while the human eye has just three sensory receptors for color, the human nose has more than 300 for smell.

The scientists built on past research to produce a neural5 network model that aims to create a "map" to identify molecules related to smells. A neural network is a computer processing system built to act like the human brain.

The team from Google AI calls the newly developed tool a "principal odor map." The main purpose of the map is to "predict the odor properties of molecules," the researchers said.

The neural network models were also trained to identify which molecular6 characteristics were needed to make correct smell predictions. The researchers reported that the AI-powered map permits them to "predict and discover new odors and the molecules that produce them."

The team said their research suggests there are probably billions of molecules that are likely odorous, but have not yet been smelled. Since the mapping tool was shown to recognize an odorous molecule2 from its structure, "this guides us to discover new classes of odorants..." the researchers said.

For the experiments, the researchers said they collected the largest ever set of data on odor descriptions for different molecules.

For comparison purposes, they used human subjects to identify the smells of 400 molecules using 55 different descriptions. The team said that when compared to the human odor identifications, the neural network model repeatedly performed better than the human subjects.

The team said such a tool can be used across many different fields, including the health care, food and fragrance7 industries.

The researchers reported that the tool can be used to help fight one of the world's biggest health problems – diseases spread through insects. They said the system can measure how effective a molecule is at keeping mosquitos away from humans.

The team said it discovered a series of new molecules that can repel8 mosquitos with at least the same effectiveness as DEET, a chemical commonly used in insect repellants.

This discovery, the researchers said, can lead to the development of less costly9, longer lasting10, and safer repellants than those containing DEET. Such repellants could be used "to reduce the worldwide incidence of diseases like malaria11, potentially saving countless12 lives," the team added.

Words in This Story

artificial intelligence – n. the development of computer systems with the ability to perform work that normally requires human intelligence

blend – v. to mix two or more things together

photon – n. a single unit of light

characteristic – n. a typical or noticeable quality that makes one person or thing different from others

fragrance – n. a sweet of pleasant smell

repel – v. to force away something unwanted

incidence –n. the number of times something happens


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 proceedings Wk2zvX     
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
  • to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼
2 molecule Y6Tzn     
n.分子,克分子
参考例句:
  • A molecule of water is made up of two atoms of hygrogen and one atom of oxygen.一个水分子是由P妈̬f婘̬ 妈̬成的。
  • This gives us the structural formula of the molecule.这种方式给出了分子的结构式。
3 molecules 187c25e49d45ad10b2f266c1fa7a8d49     
分子( molecule的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
  • Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里,大分子裂变为小分子。
4 sensory Azlwe     
adj.知觉的,感觉的,知觉器官的
参考例句:
  • Human powers of sensory discrimination are limited.人类感官分辨能力有限。
  • The sensory system may undergo long-term adaptation in alien environments.感觉系统对陌生的环境可能经过长时期才能适应。
5 neural DnXzFt     
adj.神经的,神经系统的
参考例句:
  • The neural network can preferably solve the non- linear problem.利用神经网络建模可以较好地解决非线性问题。
  • The information transmission in neural system depends on neurotransmitters.信息传递的神经途径有赖于神经递质。
6 molecular mE9xh     
adj.分子的;克分子的
参考例句:
  • The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
  • For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时,分子的碰撞就停止了。
7 fragrance 66ryn     
n.芬芳,香味,香气
参考例句:
  • The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。
  • The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。
8 repel 1BHzf     
v.击退,抵制,拒绝,排斥
参考例句:
  • A country must have the will to repel any invader.一个国家得有决心击退任何入侵者。
  • Particles with similar electric charges repel each other.电荷同性的分子互相排斥。
9 costly 7zXxh     
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
参考例句:
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
10 lasting IpCz02     
adj.永久的,永恒的;vbl.持续,维持
参考例句:
  • The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
  • We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。
11 malaria B2xyb     
n.疟疾
参考例句:
  • He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
  • Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。
12 countless 7vqz9L     
adj.无数的,多得不计其数的
参考例句:
  • In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
  • I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

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