Olfabet

Abstract

The Olfabet is an olfactory alphabet. Imagine that you can read words and texts just by smelling. With every breath we (unconsciously) smell. By linking specific scents to letters, we can expand our ability to read and learn. The Olfabet allows letters, words, and sentences to be translated into scents, thus creating an Olfalanguage. Several olfactory letters form a scent accord, which can be instantly recognized as a word without having to smell the individual scents. The concept of the Olfareaders which are 3D printed smell devices help with reading digital texts by smelling. More info www.olfabet.com

To start the Olfabet research 26 fragrances were selected by the Olfactory Ambassadors being 7 blind and visual impaired people. Most of the fragrances are scent molecules. For instance, the letter O smells to Aldehyde C18, the letter C to Habanolide, the letter D to Isocyclocitral, the letter E is Cis-3-Hexenol, the Letter I is Citral, L is Cashmeran, W is Aphermate, X is Cinnamyl acetate, …. Some other letters are essential oils like the letter A is Rosemary, letter B is clary sage, F is Caraway seeds, G is Oud, N is Lavandin Abrialis, R is Parsley, U is Fenugreek, Y is Cumin, …

The Olfabet concept, design and realization is done by olfactory artist dr. Peter de Cupere who’s doing research at the PXL MAD Research group Manufracture in Hasselt, Belgium (https://pxl-mad.be/en/mad-research) in how to use smell in combination with 3D printing and scented polymers. For the realization of the Olfabet, he worked together with 7 blind and visual impaired people who selected the fragrances and tested out the working of the Olfabet. These olfactory ambassadors have made a unique contribution to the development of this beautiful sensory project, based on their own lived experiences. They are Dr. Piet Devos, Tonia In den Kleef, Leticia Larangé, Jan Gosselin, Francky van Onacker, Timmy De Waele, Mei Lan NG.