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Villum Experiment: From Digital Scents to Insects as Raw Material

Once again this year, bold and innovative research projects have received support through the Villum Foundation's Experiment Programme.
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51 innovative and unconventional research ideas have just received support from the Villum Foundation.
The projects were anonymously evaluated to ensure that the potential of the ideas was prioritized over the researchers' backgrounds—a process that promotes creativity and the courage to take risks.

"The Unexpected and the Untested"

The research ideas span a wide range from scent technology to AI and sustainable biomaterials. 

Thomas Bjørnholm, Research Director at the Villum Foundation, explains the idea behind the Villum Experiment Programme, which gives bold research ideas a chance: "Villum Experiment represents the unexpected and the untested. Here, we support researchers who dare to take chances, and we know that some of these projects can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Our goal is to give space to ideas that can change the world—even if they may seem completely wild at first."

Scents over Distance

One of the projects, for example, investigates how scents can be transmitted over distance—just like we currently transmit sound and images. This could lead to an entirely new form of telecommunication that integrates the sense of smell, allowing us not only to see and hear across distances between devices—but also to smell.

"The project opens the door to research on integrating electronic noses in digital scent emission devices. In the future, this knowledge could be used to add an extra dimension to communication by including scents in addition to sound and images," explains Associate Professor at the Mads Clausen Institute Roana de Oliveira Hansen, who leads the project.

Insects as Biomaterials and Green AI

Another project, INFUSE, explores whether insects can be used as raw material for textiles or packaging. If successful, it will open the possibility of widespread use of insect biomass for entirely new types of biomaterials.

And a third project examines whether we can teach artificial intelligence to code more sustainably, so we can reduce the energy consumption of future AI systems.

"The research ideas challenge the boundaries of what we believe is possible—from scent transmission to the development of green AI. This is precisely the type of bold research we want to promote, as it can pave the way for future major discoveries," says Thomas Bjørnholm.

About the Villum Experiment Programme

• Focus on innovative and unconventional research ideas
• Anonymous evaluation ensures focus on the potential of the idea rather than the researcher's merits
• High risk factor and potential for breakthroughs
• Supports research projects in their early stages
• Annually awards approximately 50 grants

Villum Experiment recipients, year 2024