Smoking? Unhealthy? I Don't Believe It!

Why smoke when you have a machine to do it for you?

Put together as a Senior Design Project within the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, a smoking machine puffs away on the 2nd floor. It was created for three main reasons: 1.) To see where particles deposit within the lungs and airways when smoke is inhaled, 2.) To determine the composition of the smoke inhaled and 3.) To identify the various sizes of smoke particles which exist.

The machine is housed in a large, Plexiglas cube and is a tangle of tubes – meant to mimic the airways of the human respiratory system. In the tests, special research cigarettes are used so that researchers can control what goes into the system. Rather then deal with commercial cigarettes that vary in make up, these cigarettes are grown and manufactured in a controlled environment.

Smokers and non-smokers will find this exhibit interesting to check out. Although a bit advanced for younger audiences, the process in itself is entertaining. If you find 10 minutes of spare time, stroll on over.