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US Military Eyes the Glow of Fireflies

Posted by samzenpus on from the get-some-glowing dept.

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.'"

5 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Since when is the military "green"? by caladine · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

  2. Re:Your tax dollars at work, sposorng the next fad by Sir_Lewk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

    --
    "linux is just DOS with a UNIX like syntax" -- Galactic Dominator (944134)
  3. Re:See landing makers through dust? by SheeEttin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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...

  4. Re:See through dirty wind by PitaBred · · Score: 3, Insightful

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

    --
    My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
  5. Mod Down This Is A Troll by tirefire · · Score: 3, Insightful

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

    Not fighting optional wars. (Rimshot)