Archive for February, 2008
Patenting scents
Research, creation and patenting of synthetic scent molecules is a major focus of the fragrance industry. Synthetic fragrances make it possible to create an entirely new palette of aromas, and a cheaper way to reproduce existing scents that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive. New York Times perfume critic Chandler Burr has written an interesting article discussing these scent “captives.” More in the NYTimes
Add comment February 25, 2008
Flavored ad in today’s People Mag
If you happen to see a copy of People Magazine today, look for the 2-page ad for Welch’s grape juice. What you’ll find is a step above scratch-n-sniff: a peel-off sticker that reveals an actual flavor sample. You just have to lick it.
The flavor strip is made out of pullulan, a kind of film matrix with the flavor trapped inside. The ad covers both sides of the page, so you won’t be licking any residual ink from the other side. Apparently the sticker won’t re-seal itself, so there’s no danger of licking an ad already licked by someone else.
Still, I can’t help but think of the fact that the only time I ever look at People Magazine is at the germ factory known as the doctor’s office…
2 comments February 18, 2008
Scenting: ambient market surpasses personal market
Personal fragrances are so yesterday. What’s happening is ambient scenting. International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) Chairman Robert Amen estimates that the “functional fragrance” market now doubles the size of the personal fragrance market. In an article published Friday in Women’s Wear Daily, Amen discusses the market shift toward functional fragrance and how it relates to the shift in direction for IFF.
IFF has been exploring several new avenues. The company’s perfumer Christophe Laudamiel designed and implemented the ambient scenting for the World Economic Forum. They’re working on encapsulation technology, where fragrance is released in response to pressure (such as in scented fabric and print advertisements) for other products such as lotion. And they’ve been exploring ways to use scent in hospital settings as a way to speed the recovery process for trauma victims.
Read more at Women’s Wear Daily
Add comment February 17, 2008
New USB aroma devices from Hong Kong
Hong Kong company Brando has really been cranking out the USB-powered aroma devices. New to its product line is the “USB Aroma Radio + Speaker,” featuring an essential oil burner, a 7-color changing LED light, speaker and stereo minijack, and AM/FM radio. Price = $30. It looks a bit like a lamp I got from Ikea a while back. Also recently from Brando is a USB-powered “Mini-Cool Aroma Humidifier.” It’s pocket-sized and allows you to add your own essential oil. Price = $39. Both products also run on batteries. The company offers a variety of other USB-powered aroma diffusers, as well as nifty devices like a USB cup warmer and a USB missile launcher. Read more at Brando’s web site.
Add comment February 11, 2008
Scent can sell a home, or not
Some friends of mine have put their house up for sale. In preparation for their first weekend “open house,” along with all the scrubbing and painting and making everything look just so, their real estate agent instructed them to bake cookies. Bribing the potential buyers with cookies? Like Santa? No, it wasn’t about the cookies, exactly. It was about creating the smell of freshly baked cookies to make people feel cozy and homey.
Apparently in London they’re thinking similarly. The London Financial Times ran a story last week about how the scent of a house can affect whether it sells. The article discusses a Proctor and Gamble study in which subjects had strong physiological responses to bad odors, and “relaxed” responses to neutral or good odors. Other tidbits from that article: Apparently heavy smoking in your house will considerably drop its selling price. And one home seller reportedly had such bad breath that the selling agent had to ask him to leave when potential buyers came around.
Read more at FT.com
Add comment February 8, 2008
Society of Sensory Professionals to hold inaugural conference
The Society of Sensory Professionals (SSP) is announcing their Inaugural Conference, which will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) November 5-7, 2008. The conference’s theme is “Creating the Future,” which “builds on the mission of advancing the field of sensory evaluation and consumer research.” The society’s purpose is to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and to mentor and educate sensory professionals.
Abstracts are being accepted now. See the conference web site.
Add comment February 6, 2008
Cognitive effects on odor perception: fear factor?
Studying the relationship between language and odor perception seems to be quite a trend among scientists. Last month I posted about two studies that explored the link between knowing the name of an odor and liking or disliking it (see Jan. 22’s story, Odor appreciation influenced by names). Another recent study, this one from Japan, took a look at the fear factor. Their study examined whether believing an odor to be “hazardous” or “healthy” influenced perception of the odor’s intensity. Scientists saw that when they presented the same odor twice, in intermittent bursts (as opposed to one brief sniff), the subjects experienced the odor labelled “hazardous” as being more intense.
Add comment February 1, 2008
