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.

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...