The Pentagon Is Working On Bio-Robotic Locusts That Can Detect Bombs
Video screenshot via Washington University in St. Louis
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis published a study, titled Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X, proving that the antennae and brainpower of locusts can be used to produce an advanced bomb-detection sensor.
The team discovered that locusts’ “horns” are able to recognize the scents of TNT, DNT, and several other explosives, in less than a second, the study published back in July explained.
Now, biomedical engineering professor Barani Raman believes in the potential to produce bio-robotic bomb-sniffing bugs through this discovery.
The project has received funding from two Office of Naval Research grants, amounting to over US$1.1 million. You can read more about the research here, or watch the video on the project by the university below.
[via Boing Boing, cover image via Washington University in St. Louis
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