# Plant-Based Explosive Detectors MIT Researchers are Using Spinach to Find Dangerous Explosives By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-11-12 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/explosive-detectors References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/mit-researchers-turn-spinach-plants-explosive-detectors.html) & [news.mit.edu](http://news.mit.edu/2016/nanobionic-spinach-plants-detect-explosives-1031) Plant nanobionics is a new field of study that is exploring the combination of engineered electronic systems and plants as [explosive detectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vape-detectors). Researchers at [MIT](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weeding-robot) recently conducted a demonstration of how technology and organic plant matter can come together by embedding carbon nanotubes into [spinach leaves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-pulses). These embedded tubes make it possible for the plant to communicate wirelessly with a smartphone or Raspberry Pi system. This means that the spinach plants would be able to detect the presence of nitroaromatics, which are present in landmines and other explosives. If detected, the plants are able to emit a fluorescent signal that can be picked up by an infrared camera in order to send an appropriate warning alert. Beyond safety, these kinds of systems could be invaluable for agriculture. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 17% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Plant Nanobionics:** The field of plant nanobionics explores the combination of engineered electronic systems and plants for various applications. - **Wireless Plant Communication:** Embedding carbon nanotubes into plants enables wireless communication with other devices or systems. - **Explosive Detection Technology:** Developing plant-based systems to detect explosives and emit warning alerts offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the field of safety and security. ### Who This Affects Most - **Agriculture:** Applying plant nanobionics and wireless plant communication can revolutionize agricultural practices and enhance crop monitoring and management. - **Safety and Security:** Creating plant-based explosive detection technology can provide disruptive innovation in the safety and security industry, improving threat detection and response capabilities. - **Environmental Monitoring:** Utilizing plant nanobionics allows for the development of innovative solutions in environmental monitoring, such as detecting harmful substances or pollution in real-time. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Magnetic Mine-Detection Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minedetection-system.md) - [Plant Disease-Monitoring Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electronic-patch.md) - [Agricultural Living Sensor Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biotechnology-platform.md) - [Growth-Stimulating Electronic Soils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electronic-soil.md) - [Dynamic Food Safety Detectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-safety-detector.md) - [Portable Soil Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-soil-monitor.md) - [Weed Management Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weed-management.md) - [Natural Pesticide Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-pesticide-alternative.md) - [Aerial Fertilizer Measuring Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asd-fieldspec-4.md)