Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

MIT Is Growing Bomb-Sniffing Spinach Plants The Department of Homeland Security is about to get a green thumb.

By Dan Bova

Tania Ciolko / EyeEm

Popeye always said spinach could help protect us from evil-doers such as Bluto, but this is taking things up a few notches. OK, a few thousand notches.

The journal Nature Materials reports that researchers at MIT have bio-engineered a plant that can detect explosives and then send out a warning signal.

Related: MIT Researchers Take on Slow Wi-Fi

How? The G.I. greens are first outfitted with tiny cylinders of carbon. As the spinach absorbs air and water from its surroundings, these tubes will react to any nitroaromatics (the chemicals commonly used in explosives) and emit a fluorescent signal. That signal then gets picked up by an infrared camera and sent to a computer or phone, which then sends an email.

Yes, this badass plant will email you.

Related: Use This Green Beret Morning Routine to Feel Energized All Day

"Plants are very good analytical chemists," Michael Strano, the Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, said in a statement. "They have an extensive root network in the soil, are constantly sampling groundwater, and have a way to self-power the transport of that water up into the leaves."

But are they really up for the task of bombing detection?

Related: Innovation Is Revolutionizing the Future of Work

Strano insists yes. "Plants are very environmentally responsive," he said. "They know that there is going to be a drought long before we do. They can detect small changes in the properties of soil and water potential. If we tap into those chemical signaling pathways, there is a wealth of information to access."

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Money & Finance

The Government Is Forcing Business Owners to Share Personal Data or Get Fined $10,000 — So Why Don't More People Know About It?

The Treasury Department wants to know who owns your business, and the smaller your business, the more attention you should pay.

Money & Finance

Customers Have a Favorite Payment Method — But 30% of Businesses Don't Accept It. Are You Driving Business Away?

This article examines the surprising gap between what consumers want in payment options and what small businesses currently offer. It also provides strategies for small business owners looking to adapt to these preferences and enhance customer loyalty.

Leadership

Could We Have The First Native American Woman Governor? DEI Expert Weighs In On What Allyship Should Look Like If History Is Made.

We can all learn more about what it means to be a better ally for those who are the "firsts" in their space. Here are three strategies around allyship this DEI expert recommends to her diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consultancy clients.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

'Additional Human Touch': Starbucks Has a Turnaround Plan That Includes Buying 200,000 Sharpies. Here's Why.

Faced with declining sales, Starbucks has a comeback plan that involves several changes to stores and menus. Here's a look at the changes coming to your store.