美国科罗拉多大学博尔德分校的研究团队发现，湍流空气对气味信号的传播产生系统性影响，通过改变气味信号的频率内容来塑造其传播模式[1]。这项研究由博士后研究员Elle Stark主导，共同作者包括Odor2Action网络主要研究员负责人John Crimaldi，已发表在《PRX Life》期刊[1]。
研究团队识别了湍流转变气味信号的三种基本方式：滤除某些频率、散播其他频率以及产生新频率[1]。通过计算机模拟和风洞实验相结合，研究人员利用激光技术将不可见的气味可视化[1]。这些发现揭示了动物如何利用这些被转变后的气味信号来定位气味源，为搜救和化学泄漏定位等应用奠定了基础[1]。该研究汇聚了来自16个机构的国际Odor2Action研究网络的力量[1]。
Researchers at CU Boulder have identified how turbulent airflow systematically transforms odor signals during dispersal, a discovery that could enhance understanding of how animals locate scent sources.[1] The international Odor2Action research network, comprising scientists from 16 institutions, found that turbulence alters odor signals through three fundamental mechanisms: filtering out certain frequencies, dispersing others, and generating new frequencies.[1]
The findings, published on the cover of PRX Life journal, were led by Elle Stark, a postdoctoral researcher, and co-authored by John Crimaldi, the network's principal investigator.[1] Using a combination of computer simulations and wind tunnel experiments where lasers were employed to visualize otherwise invisible odor molecules, the team revealed how these frequency transformations enable animals to navigate toward odor sources.[1] The research provides a foundation for practical applications including search and rescue operations and the localization of chemical leaks.[1]