A team of students from Glasgow University have designed a pollution monitor that generates its own electricity to set off an early-warning system when it senses pollution. The university is now looking for funding to develop the sensor further.
The self-powered biosensor has been likened to taking a canary down a mine. The researchers say it could be used to warn of chemical leaks from industrial plants, oil pipelines or landfill sites, before they harm people or cause environmental damage.
One of the inventors, Scott Ramsay said, “The research involved engineering a microbe that detects toxic residues such as those generated by oil and natural gas refineries.” When the microbes detect these compounds they synthesise a chemical that causes fuel cells in the device to generate electricity, triggering an alarm.
The device could be integrated into wireless early warning systems for monitoring rivers, lakes and wells, allowing industry to measure the amount of toxins in effluent and thus keep within legal discharge levels. The technology could also be further developed to detect pesticide levels.
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