The technology turns beveled into a terrorist bomb detector

Carbon nanotube implants can react with nitro-aromatics to help detect mines and ammunition buried underground.

Professor Michael Strano, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and colleagues, says the spinach after absorbing carbon nanotubes can detect nitro-aromatics in mines and ammunition buried underground, according to the BBC. . The study was published in the October 31 issue of Nature Material.

After transplanting carbon nanotubes, spinach leaves can detect bombs buried underground. (Photo: Christine Daniloff).

Professor Strano's research laboratory previously fabricated carbon nanotubes that could be used as sensors to detect hydrogen heroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ), TNT, and sarin toxic gas. When the molecules of these substances combine with the polymer material wrapped around the carbon nanotube, it changes the way the tube glows.

The scientists then transplanted the nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes into leafy mustard leaves. It takes 10 minutes to absorb water into the leaves.

In order to read the signal, the team shone a laser at the leaves, causing the nanotubes to emit near infrared fluorescence. This light can be detected by a small infrared camera connected to a computer or a smartphone that removes the infrared filter.

"With this technology, cabbage can monitor groundwater leaks from underground buried ammunition or nitro-aromatics waste, which can be used in defense programs and public sector surveillance. Detect terrorist activities, " said Professor Strano.

Current technology allows scientists to receive signals at a distance of 1m from the location of plants. They are working to expand this gap.