Archive for May, 2007
Fragrance is defined by shape, study finds
Scientists looking at scent prediction have discovered that what we experience as a fragrance is defined by just the surface shape of a scent molecule. The study, published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, was a scent-prediction test using the lily-of-the-valley olfactory receptor, possible to isolate because it is found in sperm. Once the receptor was isolated, the primary process of scent sensing could be simulated by computer. If the shape of the olfactory receptor is known, the idea is that predicting the shape of the scent molecule can be done by computer. The test showed that at threshold levels, alterations in the scent molecule that didn’t affect its shape were still interpreted by the nose as the same scent. The issue of the journal in which the study was published is scented with lily of the valley, so readers can smell for themselves. Read more at Medical News Today and Chemie.de
Add comment May 20, 2007
Fragrance industry leaders to converge in Cannes
Scent developers, marketers and fragrance consumers will converge in France next month for the World Perfumery Congress, where Givaudan’s CEO Gilles Andrier will speak about “The Noses of Tomorrow.” Representatives of over 50 of the top flavor and fragrance companies will be present, trading tips and trying to sell their scents to, among others, the increasing number of companies using scent in their products and stores. The World Perfumery Congress takes place on June 5 in Cannes, France. Read more in Time Magazine or visit the web site of the World Perfumery Congress.
Add comment May 19, 2007
Brooklyn’s first signature perfume: Coney Island
Bond No. 9, a New York fragrance company, has been creating signature scents for New York neighborhoods for a while now. Well, they’re finally branching out into Brooklyn. Coney Island, the perfume, is expected to be in stores June 1. Imaginable possibilities for Coney Island smells being virtually unlimited, and some being of questionable attractiveness, the company chose a combination of Margarita mix, tequila, chocolate, caramel, cedarwood and cinnamon. Other New York neighborhoods that have inspired perfumes include Chinatown, Wall Street and the Bowery. <a href=”
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/04/18/2007-04-18_coney_scent_brings_boardwalk_to_your_bod.html”>Read more about Coney Island or see the entire line of New York-based fragrances.
Add comment May 19, 2007
Motorola patents aromatic phone
Hoping to make use of the popularity of plug-in air fresheners, Motorola has obtained a patent for a phone with a scent release feature. According to the patent, the phone will release a fragrance by using the phone’s battery to heat a replaceable scented gel package. The patent states, “Some cellular telephone users are the same individuals who enjoy having plug-in scent units located around their homes, and may miss not having a nice smelling fragrance while they are on the go.” Read more at the US patent office
Add comment May 18, 2007
Bowling balls get spicy
A Utah company recently introduced their latest bowling ball, which emits the scent of orange ginger. “The Shift” isn’t the first ball with a fragrance; earlier balls from Storm Products have come in peppermint, chocolate and black cherry. The orange ginger-scented ball is supposed to convey sophistication, and is aimed at professional bowlers. It costs $239.95, plus the cost of drilling customized finger holes. Read more about it in the New York Times or visit the company’s web site.
Add comment May 8, 2007
Fragrance makes fun of itself
A trip through YouTube finds some entertaining fragrance commercials. Today’s laugh is from Alan Cumming.
Add comment May 4, 2007
