While expanding nuclear energy production would provide carbon-free power and can help countries around the world meet their climate goals, nuclear energy could also come with some inherent risk. Radioactive pollution damages the environment, and it’s nearly impossible to detect without specialized equipment. But what if plants growing in the facility’s surrounding area could detect radiation pollution?
Neal Stewart, professor of plant sciences, and Robert Sears, graduate research assistant in plant sciences, examined alternatives to mechanical radiation sensors and built a plant-based sensor for gamma radiation. Read more about their research using potato plants at The Conversation.
UT is a member of The Conversation, an independent source for news articles and informed analysis written by the academic community and edited by journalists for the general public. Through our partnership, we seek to provide a better understanding of the important work of our faculty.
–
MEDIA CONTACT:
Cindi King (865-974-0937, cking126@utk.edu)