US Military Eyes the Glow of Fireflies

GarryFre writes "According to the AP: 'Someday, the secrets of fireflies or glowing sea plankton could save an American soldier in battle, a Navy SEAL on a dive, or a military pilot landing after a mission. That's the hope behind a growing field of military-sponsored research into bioluminescence, a phenomenon that's under the microscope in laboratories around the country. This phenomenon is noteworthy because this produces light without wasting energy because it does not generate any heat. A possible military use of bio-luminescence would be creating biodegradable landing zone markers that helicopters can spot even as wind from their rotors kicks up dirt.'"

Comments

Re:Since when is the military "green"?

[caladine]

I take it you haven't touched your CFLs/Fluorescents or LEDs in a while. Both generate heat, it's just considerably less than traditional incandescents.

Re:Your tax dollars at work, sposorng the next fad

[Sir_Lewk]

now biotech and robotics are hot.

You know, of all the things the military could be spending money on, I really can't bring myself to complain about this... Funding science is pretty much the only nearly universally accepted upside to having a military.

Pukelitzer prize strikes again

[overshoot]

This phenomenon is noteworthy because this produces light without wasting energy because it does not generate any heat.

Oh, for Cthulu's sake! Of course it generates heat. It's a freaking irreversible chemical reaction happening at room temperature.

Just because it doesn't generate as much heat as a magnesium flare doesn't mean it doesn't generate any heat. Geniuses.

Re:See landing makers through dust?

[SheeEttin]

Only if it's a single helicopter. If you've got several choppers coming and going in quick succession, then it could be a problem.
Although how biodegradable landing markers help visibility in clouds of dirt and dust is beyond me...

Re:See through dirty wind

[PitaBred]

Even better, it's not visible without vision enhancing equipment, so it won't draw attention to the soldier using it.

Mod Down This Is A Troll

[tirefire]

Hey you know what else saves the lives of our beloved GIs?

Not fighting optional wars. (Rimshot)

Re:Your tax dollars at work, sposorng the next fad

[roman_mir]

ah, science, military style, what proportion of orange juice needs to be added to gasoline to make sure that the best results are obtained to burn people alive? They already figured that out of-course and found better additives than orange juice too, something glycerin based I suppose. Pulling rocks into space to drop them on heads of people who wear turbans with best precision, that's the more current stuff, isn't it?