News & Reviews:   Honeywell ACS Labs

Smartphones have various sensors that let them detect gravity, speed and a whole bunch of other things, but a new type of sensor may soon allow our smartphones to sniff out smells. The sensor is based on a MEMS vacuum pump which is many times smaller than previous versions and works on the basis of spectrometers. It is being developed by Honeywell ACS Labs and involves the creation of many mini turbines on a circular platform smaller than the size of a penny or 1-cent coin. Developers are using it to detect chemical reactions for toxins in the air, allowing it to effectively smell dangerous substances or situations which we might not be aware of.