THE LOS ALAMOS TIP SHEET IS A MONTHLY SERVICE FOR SCIENCE JOURNALISTS AND EDITORS
BANKING ON BIOSENSOR BACTERIA
Pollutant-eating bacteria have been adapted to create a set of live bacterial biosensors that detect and signal the presence of phenol pollution. The bug test is an inexpensive, accurate and simple alternative for industries that must monitor phenols, a family of harsh pollutants widespread in the manufacture of dyes, photographic chemicals, wood preservatives and pesticides. The reporter bacteria are modified so that instead of making digesting enzymes when they contact complex phenols, a protein in the bacteria produces a signal easy to observe and measure. These biosensors can indicate the presence of eight of the priority pollutant phenols listed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Further research may lead to the design of proteins to detect other chemicals.
Ternel Martinez, (505) 665-7778, [email protected]
FINDING FRIEND FROM FOE
Existing systems to distinguish friendly aircraft -- or tanks or soldiers or anything else on a battlefield -- from those of an enemy rely on active transmissions which can give away a location to anyone with the proper listening equipment. Los Alamos researchers have developed an identification system that allows "friends" to recognize each other while giving nothing away to others. The system, called synchronous identification of friendly targets, uses a method of frequency locking to identify a weak signal that is buried in the normal radiant energy emitted by an airplane, tank or person. The device, for which a patent was recently awarded, is portable and reliable, and it can be easily modified to prevent an enemy from determining its operating characteristics.
John Webster, (505) 667-5543, [email protected]
CRAFTING CRYSTALS
Los Alamos researchers have developed a facility where they can grow single crystals, some as big as a few inches in length, using four different techniques. Such pure crystals are important in a variety of research areas. Some may be able to bind actinides such as plutonium within their structural lattices, which may prove useful for nuclear fuel rods in reactors or in solving some nuclear waste problems. Crystal growth technology has many other applications, including creating alloys for materials that can stand extreme conditions, creating thermophotovoltaic materials to convert thermal energy into electricity and advancing magnetic storage technologies.
John Webster, (505) 667-5543, [email protected]
For more information contact 505-667-7000
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