In Mississippi, researchers are working on developing a biobased sensor that could detect leaks in oil and gas pipelines.
The researchers developed bacteria that creates a measurable cathode voltage but can withstand a range of alkalinity, pressure and pH conditions. Another bacteria acts as an anode and triggers an alarm.
“The advantage with our sensor is that it can detect very small leaks, and operators can take quick action to repair them,” Veera Gnaneswar Gude, Ph.D., leader of the Mississippi State University project, told Phys.org. “We no longer have to wait until the leak is out of hand. Plus if we are able to develop this system on a larger scale, the same unit would be able to treat the waste and to remediate the soil and water that has been contaminated.” The researchers are currently looking for a material on which to immobilize the bacteria.
The work was presented at the recent American Chemical Society’s 255th National Meeting & Exposition.