Effective Dissolution of a Gaseous Odorant in Liquid Using Gas Flow

Olfactory receptors are known for their high specificity, sensitivity, and nanometer-sized sensing element, making them ideal for in situ odorant sensor applications. However, one of the major limitations of these sensors is the requirement for an aqueous environment to maintain their function, while most odorants are poorly soluble in water. To address this issue, a microfluidic device consisting of a gas-flow channel and a microwell is proposed that enables the effective dissolution of a gaseous odorant in an aqueous solution. Computational simulations are used to design the gas-flow channel and the well, and the performance of the odorant dissolution is verified using the fabricated device. This study considers that convection in water induced by the gas flow enhances the dissolution of a gaseous odorant. The feasibility of the device is demonstrated for on-site detection of a gaseous odorant. This approach facilitates the development of highly responsive and portable sensors utilizing olfactory receptors, offering a promising solution to the limitations of current odorant sensors.