Bomb Detecting Plants

Bomb sniffing plants may be able to screen the air and provide a subtle warning system for dangerous substances such as explosives.

Developed by researchers at Colorado State University, the bio-engineered plant proteins react to airborne pollutants or trace chemicals from explosives with visible responses, such as blanching white. The monitoring ability is embedded in the plant proteins, and so can be integrated into any plant.

Plants have already been developed that turn white when in the presence of TNT, and sensors for other chemical stimuli are being developed.






                      


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