rwhhunt
New member
Dr Roy,
I attended an interesting conference last weekend, where two of the speakers presented information on a Vibrational threory of Olfaction. The idea is not new, and was first proposed by Dyson in 1938. However, with the advent of quantum theory and advances in quantum chemistry methods and inelastic electron tunneling, Turin has proposed that Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy can provide reliable data that correlates semi-empirical quantum chemistry methods with tunneling vibrational spectra and tunneling mode intensities of diverse odorants and odor catagories. This technology is being developed in the cosmetic industry for fragerance development. They are trying to find a method of determing characteristics of odor without having to use the trail-and-error basis for conventional research where a "professional nose" comes in a can qualatatively rate the scent. With this research, it may be possible to database known chemicals, odors, and IETS spectra, then compare new compounds with suprising reliability and ease.
It was found by Dykstra that insect olfaction on their antennae may perform the same way, and provided a similiar explanation for it. The plethora of tiny holes found all over the insect antennae were thought to be a "lock and key" receptors and the provided the method/mechanics of determing biochemical odors as the molecules came floating by and locking into the antennae causing a specific biochemical reaction. However, there has been research showing that two identical biochemicals that have been treated to have a different polarization from one another (and hence a different vibrational spectra) were able to be differentiated indicating that a non-biochemical response had occured because the two molecules where identical biochemically. The hypethesis given by Dykstra relates to the Naval Antennae design research where they fill the entire antennae with deep tiny holes. If the antennae has enough of these it becomes extraordinarily efficient at transmitting and receiving electromagnetic data (vibrational information)...and extraordinarly similiar to insect antennae.... In conversations with Dykstra, he thought that it was feasbile that underwater invertebrates also could respond in a similar manner...
So my question is: Is it possible that stomatopod antennae could operate in the same way as terrestrial insect olfaction, AND human olfaction?? Has this been researched at all?
Also, since it is now thought that human olfaction may work with similar quantum tunneling dynamics, octopi also are covered with three types of sensing cells, one of which is for odor/smelling. Is it possible that the octopus could be performing IETS all over its body?? If so, this may be a new angle/direction that could be taken to account for how well the octopus can camoflauge its color and texture with its surrounding despite being color blind, considering the fact that IETS and similar processes are similar to Raman and IR scattering but also allow detection in optically forbidden regions....
PS. I can provide you the peer-reviewed journals if you do not already have them...
I attended an interesting conference last weekend, where two of the speakers presented information on a Vibrational threory of Olfaction. The idea is not new, and was first proposed by Dyson in 1938. However, with the advent of quantum theory and advances in quantum chemistry methods and inelastic electron tunneling, Turin has proposed that Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy can provide reliable data that correlates semi-empirical quantum chemistry methods with tunneling vibrational spectra and tunneling mode intensities of diverse odorants and odor catagories. This technology is being developed in the cosmetic industry for fragerance development. They are trying to find a method of determing characteristics of odor without having to use the trail-and-error basis for conventional research where a "professional nose" comes in a can qualatatively rate the scent. With this research, it may be possible to database known chemicals, odors, and IETS spectra, then compare new compounds with suprising reliability and ease.
It was found by Dykstra that insect olfaction on their antennae may perform the same way, and provided a similiar explanation for it. The plethora of tiny holes found all over the insect antennae were thought to be a "lock and key" receptors and the provided the method/mechanics of determing biochemical odors as the molecules came floating by and locking into the antennae causing a specific biochemical reaction. However, there has been research showing that two identical biochemicals that have been treated to have a different polarization from one another (and hence a different vibrational spectra) were able to be differentiated indicating that a non-biochemical response had occured because the two molecules where identical biochemically. The hypethesis given by Dykstra relates to the Naval Antennae design research where they fill the entire antennae with deep tiny holes. If the antennae has enough of these it becomes extraordinarily efficient at transmitting and receiving electromagnetic data (vibrational information)...and extraordinarly similiar to insect antennae.... In conversations with Dykstra, he thought that it was feasbile that underwater invertebrates also could respond in a similar manner...
So my question is: Is it possible that stomatopod antennae could operate in the same way as terrestrial insect olfaction, AND human olfaction?? Has this been researched at all?
Also, since it is now thought that human olfaction may work with similar quantum tunneling dynamics, octopi also are covered with three types of sensing cells, one of which is for odor/smelling. Is it possible that the octopus could be performing IETS all over its body?? If so, this may be a new angle/direction that could be taken to account for how well the octopus can camoflauge its color and texture with its surrounding despite being color blind, considering the fact that IETS and similar processes are similar to Raman and IR scattering but also allow detection in optically forbidden regions....
PS. I can provide you the peer-reviewed journals if you do not already have them...
