Big brother is watching out for you … well, smelling

Well … smelling, actually. Just when you thought your fingerprints, DNA, exceptionally good looks, and fashion sense made you truly unique … science comes out with research that says individuals also have a unique odoriferous signature. That means that no one else in the whole world smells like you. See? You’re even more unique than you thought.

Odorprints, as they call it, are transmitted through body fluids that contain airborne volatile compounds. So how does this help us, the packaging industry (beyond the obvious security applications and new CSI episodes that this technology will generate)?

Findings could result in developing sensors for early detection and diagnosis of various disorders … even skin disorders. Some cosmetics counters already have visual analyzers … imagine the potential for an electronic “sniffer” that can match your smell with the most appropriate lotion, cover up, or skin treatment system.