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Spinach against terrorism

10.11.2016

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have presented an unusual development that serves to detect explosive chemicals that can be used by terrorists. They created a detector based on ordinary spinach by embedding carbon nanotubes and sensors into the plant.

The sensors used in this case are configured to respond to so-called nitroaromatic compounds. The nanoparticle solution was delivered to the underside of the spinach leaves, in a layer called the mesophyll, where most of the photosynthesis takes place, using a plant-vessel infusion technique. Also, carbon nanotubes are embedded in the leaves of the plant, which emit a constant fluorescent signal that serves as a reference.

If any dangerous compound is found in groundwater, literally after 10 minutes it reaches the leaves, and the signal given changes. It can be detected using a small infrared camera connected to a Raspberry Pi. In addition, as the developers say, it will be possible to see it using the camera of a regular smartphone by turning off the infrared filter, which is active by default. At the moment, the signal can be detected at a distance of one meter, but scientists are working to increase it.

“Plants are very sensitive to the environment. For example, they know that there will be a drought long before we know it. They are able to detect small changes in soil properties and its water potential. If we use these chemical signaling pathways, we can get a huge amount of information," said study leader Michael Strano.

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