AME - Scent Capture Using Steam Condensation

Goal: Is there a scent that brings you comfort, joy, or nostalgia? Would you like to capture it and take a sniff whenever you want, just like taking a photo? This is the technology we want to develop.

Description: Design and manufacture a miniature condensation chamber that uses controlled vapor condensation to capture scent molecules - any scents you like, including coffee, food, plants, cologne, the smell of your bedroom, your pet, or human scent - into finger-sized glass vials.

Name of research group, project, or lab
Interfacial Thermofluids Laboratory
Website
https://itflab.nd.edu/
Why join this research group or lab?

Other on-going projects in the lab:

1) Healthcare condenser design for non-invasive breath analysis.

2) Analyzing airborne microplastic contaminations in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

3) Hydrogel-based scent cloth for preterm infant comforting.

4) Florescence microscopic study of scent transportation in condensate droplets.

5) Meniscus-based study of multiphase droplet interface.

Logistics Information:
Project categories
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Art, Art History, and Design
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Graduate Student
Student qualifications

Design and manufacture skills are preferred.

Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
2 credits / 6-12 hours
3 credits / 12+ hours
Summer - Full Time
Summer - Part Time
Compensation
Research for Credit
Unpaid - Volunteer
Number of openings
3
Techniques learned

R&D process and techniques involving surface science, thermofluids, separation techniques, and device design.

Project start
Spring 2025
Contact Information:
Mentor
Jingcheng Ma
jma9@nd.edu
Assistant Professor
Name of project director or principal investigator
Jingcheng Ma
Email address of project director or principal investigator
jma9@nd.edu
3 sp. | 0 appl.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours (+4)
1 credit / 3-6 hours2 credits / 6-12 hours3 credits / 12+ hoursSummer - Full TimeSummer - Part Time
Project categories
Art, Art History, and Design (+3)
Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringArt, Art History, and DesignChemical and Biomolecular EngineeringElectrical Engineering