Jenny Tillotson

Storage and controlled release of fragrances maintaining a constant ratio of volatile compounds

Controlled fragrance release at the right time, in the right place, depending on the context remains a technological challenge in the areas of psychophysiology, biochemistry and the entertainment industry. In this study, we demonstrate how bulk poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) templates may effectively take up and retain volatile organic compounds of essential orange oil in the original form without significantly shifting the scent profile. This is done depending on the sampling approach that follows a controllable and slow fragrance release maintaining a constant ratio of volatile compounds in a template-thickness, temperature and time-dependent manner. Thus, the increase in temperature up to 80 °C enhances the intensity of the fragrance release almost 13 fold without a significant shift in the chemical profile for 6 consecutive “ON/OFF” cycles. We believe that the concept demonstrated here towards fragrance storage via bulk PDMS templates can be used as a model case for the future use of scents.

Erratum: A Physical Basis for Ambient Intelligence

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Scentsory Design: A “Holistic” Approach to Fashion as a Vehicle to Deliver Emotional Well-being

Abstract This article explores an ongoing interdisciplinary research project at the cutting edge of aroma and medical work, which seeks to change the experience of fragrance to a more intimate communication of identity, by employing emerging technologies with the ancient art of perfumery and the growing trend of complementary therapies. The project investigates the interface between the arts and biomedical sciences, around new emerging technologies and science platforms and their applications in the domain of health and well-being and the impact it may have on the fashion industry. A new movement in functional “holistic” clothing that incorporates sensory systems of precisely metered fragrance delivery and release is discussed called “Scentsory Design.” It focuses on the development of responsive fashion that changes with emotion, introducing clothes and footwear that are designed for psychological end benefit to reduce stress. In this article, the known affective potential of the sense of smell is discussed, by introducing “Aroma-Chology” as a tool that is worn as an emotional support system to create a personal “scent bubble” around the body, with the capacity to regulate mood, physiological and psychological state, and improve self-confidence in social situations. The clothing formulates a “healing platform” around the end user by creating novel olfactory experiences in textiles that are not as passive as current capsulated capsule systems. Further items discussed include luminescent footwear derived on the benefits of light therapy and inspired by reflexology. A pair of shoes were developed that offers emotional well-being, by introducing “Walking Therapies,” which massage reflexology points on the foot, enabling the act of walking to be healing.