Link to original story: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/01/26/csu-gets-grants-for-bomb-detecting-vegetation/
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| New Homeland Security Weapon |
A new government study looks at the potential of developing vegetation that can detect explosives and environmental pollutants.
Colorado State University received an $8 million grant from the Department of Defense. They’ll use the money in hopes of growing plants to detect explosives in shopping malls or airports. University officials report the project is named “Audrey III”.
The plants are designed to change color if they are in the proximity of the questionable materials. Homeland Security officials envision using the plants in airports, shopping malls and other soft targets throughout the United States.
Officials acknowledge the plants are only effective if security personnel are located in the area but they report this is only the first step in their plan.
Ultimately, scientists hope to genetically enable plants to detect explosives and pollutants and then actually eradicate the problem.
Defense Department botanists are close to live testing of large Venus Fly Traps that will sense the material, attack it and consume it rendering it harmless. There was no comment on reports that the test plant also attacks the individuals in possession of the materials.
While officials are excited about the initiative, they report that Implementation will be delayed until a new Botanist is hired to head the project. The previous project lead disappeared suddenly and cannot been located. He was last seen in the lab fertilizing the giant Venus Flytrap prototype.
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