NanoSmell · Project

Remote-Controlled Artificial Smells for Pest Control, Wound Healing, and Entertainment

healthPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Imagine a tiny switch you can flip remotely that turns a smell on and off — like a light switch, but for your nose. This team built artificial smell molecules from DNA that lock onto smell receptors and can be toggled using an electromagnetic signal. They tested these switchable smells in insects (for pest traps), in wound healing (think: a bandage that releases treatment when activated remotely), and even in humans to sync smells with movies — real-life smell-o-vision. The big win is that for the first time, smell can be controlled precisely from a distance.

By the numbers

EUR 3,979,069

EU contribution for developing remote-controlled artificial odorants

consortium partners across research and industry

countries in the consortium (CH, DE, ES, IL)

working demo prototypes delivered (insect trap, wound treatment, SmelloVision)

total project deliverables completed

The business problem

What needed solving

Companies in pest control, wound care, and entertainment technology have been unable to precisely control when and where smells are released. Chemical attractants in pest traps work continuously and lose effectiveness. Wound dressings deliver treatment passively rather than on-demand. And despite decades of attempts, no one has cracked smell-emitting devices for entertainment because odors cannot be switched on and off fast enough.

The solution

What was built

The team built DNA-based artificial odorant molecules tagged with nanoparticles that change shape in response to electromagnetic fields, making smells remotely switchable. They delivered 3 working demos: a remotely activated insect trap (tested by MPG), a switchable wound treatment tested in vivo (by UC3M), and a human SmelloVision system that synchronizes odors with media playback (by Weizmann), plus 12 total deliverables over the 4-year project.

Audience

Who needs this

Pest control product manufacturers looking for alternatives to chemical attractantsWound care and medical device companies developing smart or active dressingsImmersive entertainment companies (VR, cinema, theme parks) wanting multi-sensory experiencesConsumer electronics companies exploring scent-enabled devicesFragrance and cosmetics companies interested in programmable scent delivery

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Pest Control & Agriculture

SME

Target: Pest control product manufacturers and agricultural technology companies

If you are a pest control company struggling with chemical resistance in insect populations — this project developed DNA-based artificial odorants that can be remotely switched on to lure insects into traps. The insect trap was tested as a demo deliverable with 8 consortium partners validating the approach. This could replace or complement traditional chemical attractants with a precision-targeted, remotely activated alternative.

Medical Devices & Wound Care

mid-size

Target: Wound care product manufacturers and medtech companies

If you are a wound care company looking for next-generation active dressings — this project developed switchable wound treatment materials that release therapeutic agents when remotely activated. The deliverable specifically mentions products for people at high risk of injury like firefighters, where treatment can be triggered on demand after an injury occurs. Testing was conducted in vivo over the 4-year project.

Entertainment & Consumer Electronics

enterprise

Target: Immersive entertainment companies and consumer electronics manufacturers

If you are an entertainment technology company wanting to add smell to movies, VR, or gaming experiences — this project built a working SmelloVision system that remotely activates odors at precise timing synchronized with media content. The Weizmann Institute demonstrated human-tested rapidly switchable odors as one of 3 demo deliverables. This addresses the long-standing technical barrier of reversible, timed odor emission.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or access this technology?

The project was funded with EUR 3,979,069 in EU contribution across 8 partners. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the Weizmann Institute of Science as coordinator. Given this is a FET Open (early-stage) project, expect research-stage licensing costs rather than commercial-ready pricing.

Can this scale to industrial production?

Based on available project data, the technology relies on DNA strand design and nanoparticle tagging — both areas with established manufacturing pathways. However, the project focused on proof-of-concept with 3 demo deliverables rather than industrial scale-up. Significant development would be needed to move from lab demonstration to mass production.

What is the IP situation — who owns the results?

The Weizmann Institute of Science coordinated the project with 8 partners across 4 countries (Israel, Germany, Spain, Switzerland). IP ownership typically follows EU grant rules where each partner owns their contributions. The core DNA-based artificial odorant design likely sits with Weizmann, while specific applications (insect traps, wound care, human perception) may involve respective partner IP.

How far is this from a real product I can sell?

The project delivered 3 demo-level prototypes by Month 47: an insect trap, switchable wound treatment (tested in vivo), and a SmelloVision system for humans. These are proof-of-concept demonstrations, not commercial products. Expect 5-8 years of additional development, regulatory approvals (especially for medical applications), and engineering for any consumer-facing product.

Does this comply with regulations for medical or consumer use?

Based on available project data, regulatory compliance was not a primary focus — this was a FET Open research project. The wound treatment application would require medical device or pharmaceutical approval. The insect trap would need pesticide/biocide regulations clearance. Any commercializing partner would need to build the regulatory pathway from scratch.

Can this integrate with our existing products?

The technology produces standalone artificial odorant molecules activated by electromagnetic fields. For pest control companies, it could integrate into existing trap hardware. For medtech, it would need to be embedded into wound dressings. For entertainment, it requires a dedicated emitter device synchronized with content playback systems.

Consortium

Who built it

The NanoSmell consortium brings together 8 partners from 4 countries (Israel, Germany, Spain, Switzerland), led by the Weizmann Institute of Science — one of the world's top research institutions. The team is heavily research-oriented with 4 universities and 3 research organizations, but includes 1 industry partner and 1 SME (12% industry ratio). This composition reflects the early-stage, science-driven nature of the work. For a business partner looking to commercialize, the strong academic foundation means solid science, but the low industry presence means you would need to bring manufacturing, regulatory, and go-to-market expertise to the table.

WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCECoordinator · IL
INSTITUTO INVESTIGACION SANITARIA FUNDACION JIMENEZ DIAZthirdparty · ES
UNIVERSITE DE GENEVEparticipant · CH
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICASthirdparty · ES
BAR ILAN UNIVERSITYparticipant · IL
MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EVparticipant · DE
UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRIDparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) — reach out to the olfaction research group. SciTransfer can help identify the right contact.

Order a report on this consortium See WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

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