IF YOU found yourself squashed in among the sweaty throngs heading to work on a tube or train this morning an Irish research team have made a discovery that might just brighten your day.
Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast have developed a perfume that smells better the more the wearer perspires.
The team at the Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL) Research Centre have formulated the unique new perfume delivery system – which they claim is the first of its kind - which releases more of its aroma when it comes into contact with moisture.
So the sweatier the person gets the better they smell.
QUILL Project leader Dr Nimal Gunaratne explained: “This is an exciting breakthrough that uses newly discovered ionic liquid systems to release material in a controlled manner.”
He added: “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.”
The innovative perfume system has been created by "tagging a raw fragrance onto an ionic liquid which has no smell", the research team confirmed this week.
"The ‘perfumed ionic liquid’ releases its aroma when it comes into contact with water, allowing more of the perfume’s scent to be released onto a person’s skin", they added.
In addition, the perfume system also has the ability to remove the bad odours that come from sweat.
The QUILL research team are currently working with a perfume development company to identify viable product ideas that use their technology which could eventually be sold in shops.
“This innovative development demonstrates the drive of researchers at Queen’s to advancing knowledge and achieving excellence for the benefit of society as a whole,” Dr Gunaratne, who carried out the research with Professor Ken Seddon and Dr Peter Nockemann, added.
