Smell even better when sweaty

A BREAKTHROUGH perfume delivery system developed by scientists at the Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL) Research Centre makes a person smell nicer even when sweating. 

 

The innovative technology, product of the research done by Dr. Nimal Gunaratne, Professor Ken Seddon, and Dr. Peter Nockemann, creates a “perfumed ionic liquid” by tagging a raw fragrance onto a no-smell ionic liquid, or salt in the form of liquid. This then releases its aroma when it comes into contact with water, which in turn releases more of the perfume’s scent onto a person’s skin.

 

Queen's University Belfast scientists led by Dr. Nimal Gunaratne (at right) have developed the first-ever perfume delivery system to ensure the more a person sweats, the better they will smell  (QUILL Research Centre)

 

The perfume system can also remove bad odors resulting from sweat. The ionic liquid attracts the sulfur-based compounds, thiol, responsible for the sweat malodor and neutralizes their potency.  

 

Acknowledging the commercial potential of the new technology, particularly in developing new products for the personal care market, QUILL researchers are collaborating with a perfume development company to identify marketable product ideas.

 

According to project leader Dr. Gunaratne, the development demonstrates the drive of Queen’s researchers to advance knowledge and achieve excellence for the benefit of the society.

 

“This is an exciting breakthrough that uses newly discovered ionic liquid systems to release material in a controlled manner. Not only does it have great commercial potential, and could be used in perfumes and cosmetic creams, but it could also be used in other areas of science such as the slow release of certain substances of interest,” he said.