ORNL's water sentinel enlists the help of naturally occurring algae biosensors to serve as a first-alert warning system for chemical warfare attacks on water supplies. The system, developed by scientists in the lab's Chemical Sciences Division, works by detecting toxic chemicals in reservoirs, rivers and lakes. Through wireless transmission, the biosensors send data to a database for quick comparison and analysis and provide inexpensive, instantaneous and around-the-clock monitoring of water sources.
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