The zNose is an electronic sensor device that can capture and analyze nearly any odor, fragrance or chemical vapor within 10 seconds. The new device will offer a number of improvements over its predecessor, including dramatically improved portability and flexibility, an enhanced user interface, and wireless Bluetooth capability, the company said.

The new model 4300 is a fully portable, wireless system for analysis in security and other areas of vapor monitoring, with the capacity to run on full-scale, independent battery power. The enhancement will power the instrument for up to eight hours of operation, depending on usage and temperature settings. The battery can be charged on or off-line.

"We believe that this new device will allow us to further expand the functionality and applicability of the zNose," said Matthew S. Collier, president and CEO of Electronic Sensor Technology. "The 4300 incorporates many of the features of its predecessors, but now allows the company to reach a broader audience of customers. In particular, we expect its portability to further increase its attractiveness in overseas markets and allow us to build on the successes that we have been generating internationally."

The Bluetooth communication capability will provide users the ability to send and analyze data to a variety of analytical tools, including laptop computers, tablet computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

Additionally, the 4300 provides "a substantially improved" software capability, featuring a much simpler user interface as well as access to a universal substance library, the company said.