For the smell of it

Some interesting interdisciplinary work going on at the University of Bath to investigate the sense of smell in hammerhead sharks. Chemist Jonathan Cox is collaborating with fluid mechanics experts to examine the way in which the unique head structure of the sharks facilitates water flow through their nasal passages. CT scans of museum specimens were used to design a model of the head and nasal chambers. The model was then used in in a flow chamber to investigate the manner in which olfactory information is collected as the shark moves through the water.