Scientists claim to have developed a perfume that smells better the more the wearer sweats.
Researchers from Queen’s University, Belfast have created a liquid that releases more of its fragrance when it comes into contact with moisture.
The perfume designed by Queen’s Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL) is made up of a raw fragrance that scientists “tagged” on to an odourless ionic liquid (salt in the form of liquid).
The resultant “perfumed ionic liquid” emits aroma when it comes into contact with water, allowing more of the perfume’s scent to be released on to a person’s skin.
The scientists say the perfume also has the ability to remove the bad odours that come from sweat, as compounds responsible for the smell are attracted to the ionic liquid, attaching themselves to it and losing their potency.
The university believes the breakthrough could have major commercial possibilities, potentially providing a new way to develop products for the huge personal care market.
QUILL researchers are working with a perfume development company to identify a number of product ideas that could eventually be sold in shops.
Project leader Nimal Gunaratne, from the QUILL research centre, said: “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 area of science, such as the slow release of certain substances of interest.
“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.”
The research was carried out by Dr Gunaratne, Professor Ken Seddon and Dr Peter Nockemann.