Spinach trained to send emails

With the help of nanotechnology, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have managed to turn spinach into sensors and make them capable of sending emails upon detecting explosive materials underground. Nitroaromatics are chemical compounds often found in explosives that get picked up by carbon nanotubes in the roots of the spinach plant. The nanotubes emit a signal that is immediately read by infrared cameras and an email is sent to the scientists at MIT.

“Plant nanobionics” is a field of science that focuses on enhancing the capabilities of plants. “Plants are very good analytical chemists,” explains Professor Michael Strano who led the research. “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.” A lot of research is being done in this field and although the initial purpose of this experiment was to detect explosives underground, it could also help keep scientists in the loop about the environmental conditions of the region. This in turn helps scientists keep a track of the pollution with the help of the data that plants gather. This experiment is monumental as it attempts to break the communication barrier between plants and humans.