By Lisa Jancarik
An estimated $30 billion in illegal cash crosses U.S. borders into Mexico annually. Border Patrol has the daunting job of finding it before it leaves, and last year, U.S. officials seized $106 million. The Department of Homeland Security recently put out a public call for currency detection devices. KWJ Engineering responded with a money-sniffing instrument. The Bulk Currency Detection System (BCDS) relies upon gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
GC/MS uses a small sample that is vaporized and transmitted via carrier gas through a tube coated with a solid chemical. The solid chemical is selected according to the sample to be separated. The sample chemical least likely to bind to the solid chemical elutes (i.e., comes out of the tube) first, the next least likely to bind second, and so on. The separated components tell the user what makes up the sample.
Gas chromatography is ideal for compounds like the ones American dollars emit. According to Dr. Joseph Stetter of KWJ Engineering, their device can identify the chemical fingerprint of money in less than a minute.
GC/MS Challenges to Using GC/MS
Stetter's firm had to figure out how to find the dollar's chemical signature. To identify the "smell" of money, they sealed 100 used $1 bills in a chamber and warmed them to release vapors. The chemicals that showed up in all the results make up the smell of money. As it happens, this chemical signature comes from several aldehydes, furans and organic acids in parts per million (for security reasons, no one is allowed to publish the exact mix).
The BCDS trial period won't begin for another two to three years. Then, officers will use the proposed design, a backpack with a wand to wave over clothing or into baggage or vehicles. Detection of a high intensity of the chemical signature would indicate the presence of cash and allow illegal dollars to be seized.
FAQs
vom Ende says, the scent sweeps in odors derived from more than 100 volatile organic chemicals. It includes whiffs of leather from time spent in wallets and handbags, a metallic tang that evokes cash registers, salty human sweat and even bacterial and bathroom smells.
What makes money smell? ›
The chemicals that showed up in all the results make up the smell of money. As it happens, this chemical signature comes from several aldehydes, furans and organic acids in parts per million (for security reasons, no one is allowed to publish the exact mix).
How to get smell out of money? ›
Baking soda naturally absorbs moisture and also will help get rid of odor from mold and mildew.
Why does money smell so strong? ›
Currency involved in bank robberies or seized during investigations can have numerous contaminants like drugs or blood, as well tear gas and aerosol from exploding dye packs meant to stain stolen money so thieves can't use it. “I didn't realize until I worked in Cash Services just how bad the dye smells,” Perlini said.
What is the proverb of money has no smell? ›
The Latin phrase pecunia non olet, or “money has no smell” traces back to the policy of collecting tax on urine in ancient Rome. Urine was taken from public toilets and distributed to businesses like tanners and launderers, who paid tax to make use of its ammonia content.
What gives money its unique feel? ›
U.S. currency also has a distinctive feel because of its special paper and the way that it's printed. If you move your fingers across the shoulders of the people on the bills, you will notice a raised texture that feels like bumps and ridges.
What is the smell of coins called? ›
Oct-1-En-3-One (also 1-octen-3-one) is the chemical responsible for the dull, metallic smell we associate with money. It is actually a by-product of the reaction of certain chemicals in human sweat that break down in the presence of iron (Fe²+) ions.
What does real money smell like? ›
“From the smell of the paper they are made of to the scent of fingerprints or ink.” The olfactory pyramid of this 'scent of money' starts with the olfactory notes of a banknote that has just left the Mint “and then moves on to more 'iridescent' and woody notes reminiscent of the smell of old banknotes.”
What is money made of? ›
U.S. currency paper is composed of 25% linen and 75% cotton, with red and blue fibers distributed randomly throughout to make imitation more difficult.
Why does money smell like metal? ›
Now, researchers supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) MUSES award and the UFZ Environmental Research Center in Germany have shown that these odor molecules come not from the penny or the pipes, but from metal-free chemicals erupting into the air when organic substances like sweat interact with the metallic ...
Paco Rabanne 1 Million. If there's one fragrance who rightfully deserves to start off this list, it's the original 1 Million from Paco Rabanne. The gold ingot bottle is luxurious, and the fresh and sensual fragrance evokes power, strength, and wealth.
Does money smell like maple syrup? ›
Obviously a scratch-and-sniff patch had been included to foil counterfeiters! News of the maple-scented money spread quickly, delighting journalists on almost every continent. But, tragically for drive-time deejays looking for weird news to joke about, both rumors were quickly debunked by the Bank of Canada.
