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Researchers Create Plant-Circuit Hybrid (sciencemag.org)

Posted by Soulskill on from the rise-of-the-electrocrops dept.

sciencehabit writes: Researchers have crafted flexible electronic circuits inside a rose. Eventually such circuitry may help farmers eavesdrop on their crops and even control when they ripen. The advance may even allow people to harness energy from trees and shrubs not by cutting them down and using them for fuel, but by plugging directly into their photosynthesis machinery. The researchers used "an organic electronic building block called PEDOT-S:H. Each of these building blocks consists of a short, repeating chain of a conductive organic molecule with short arms coming off each link of the chain. Each of the arms sports a sulfur-containing group linked to a hydrogen atom. Berggren's group found that when they placed them in the water, the rose stems readily pulled the short polymer chains up the xylem channels (abstract). ... The upshot was that the myriad short polymer chains quickly linked themselves together into continuous strings as long as 10 centimeters. The researchers then added electronic probes to opposite ends of these strings, and found that they were, in fact, wires, conducting electricity all down the line."

29 of 39 comments (clear)

  1. I want it by frnic · · Score: 1

    Not to get electricity from (as suggested) but to plug directly into me to recharge me!

    1. Re:I want it by KGIII · · Score: 1

      First thing I thought of: "Holy shit! This is amazing." To be able to put tech, in the newer sense, directly into a plant is astounding. Really, I didn't think I'd ever see such things in my lifetime. For all the complaining we do, we sure have some insanely cool stuff either already made or in the works. I carry an order (probably two or three) of magnitude computer power in my pocket than was used to put a man on the moon.

      Worse? (Or more impressive?) I don't even *need* it for anything. Then, look at the power consumption for those compute cycles.

      Now? Now we're putting chips in plants. I don't think even sci-fi authors had thought of this when I was young. This is the first that I've heard or read of this, at least.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    2. Re:I want it by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Really, I didn't think I'd ever see such things in my lifetime. For all the complaining we do, we sure have some insanely cool stuff either already made or in the works.

      I'm still trying to wrap my head around "Space Food Sticks".

      http://www.phaidon.com/resourc...

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    3. Re:I want it by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Now I know you're old. ;-) I remember absolutely having to have a pair of PJs that had astronauts on them. I seem to recall that I "settled" for the pair that I got (Woolworth's I think?) because they didn't have feet. PJs with feet were awesome when I was a kid. I could slide across the floor like a ninja. That was high tech stuff, right there. Look at us today. Imagine, if we were old enough to have seen the first jets or cars?

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    4. Re:I want it by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      PJs with feet were awesome when I was a kid. I could slide across the floor like a ninja.

      You know, they make pajamas with feet for adults, right? Just be prepared for your significant other to never look at you the same way again.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    5. Re:I want it by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I did not know that. :/ I don't think I'd buy any. The magic is best left in the past. Besides, I'd break a hip.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    6. Re:I want it by KGIII · · Score: 1

      You know that it was a television show, right? I've only seen a couple of episodes. I'm not a fan of television and don''t really recall a time when I was much of a fan. Anyhow, it's fiction, not a documentary. Sure, there's some chance that it may be correct (and I'd listen to a logical argument that supported that side, I could probably make said argument with some research and time) but I don't think that we should hold back progress based on a televised work of fiction.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    7. Re:I want it by KGIII · · Score: 1

      LOL I'd wondered about that, while posting, but this is Slashdot so you never know. :/ I was pretty sure that they were serious but it probably doesn't help that I am unfamiliar with the series. I've never been a huge fan of television. I miss a few references but I do learn about a few programs by the various conversations. :D

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  2. Circuits? by fyngyrz · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Wires, according to TFS. Not much of a circuit, really...

    But it's a start. Perhaps they'll also figure out resistors, capacitors and semiconductors. Along with a way for them to self-assemble in such a way as to be able to do something of an intentionally designed nature.

    Interesting to see such research going on. I wonder what the eventual consequences might be if they can go further. Rare plants that report to "central" if you try to uproot or poison them? Vegetation that sends out an analysis of the digestive conditions of those that eat them? Weeds that are weather stations? Surveillance built into the trees on a nicely shaded street? Organic LED displays from the garden? Soft, programmable illumination from the tree over your picnic table?

    Okay, perhaps I just need more coffee. Not supposed to be dreaming after I wake up. :)

    --
    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
    1. Re:Circuits? by laurencetux · · Score: 1

      Doctor who episode "Flesh and Stone" the ship had a forest of "Tree Borgs"

      i think that semiconductors will be the real trick since

      Resistors= chunks of plant that have silicon or carbon
      Capacitors= Berry type nodules
      Inductors= Coils of wire

  3. Big words scare me. They must be dangerous! by Nutria · · Score: 1

    poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)
    polystyrene sulfonate
    covalently attached anionic side group

    Obviously Eeeevil Monsanto is involved. All right-thinking students and faculty at LinkÃping University must shun and harass these evil doers!!

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  4. Sci-Fi Reality by xdor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Thought of this as a science-fiction premise about 8 years ago. A world where one would literally grow a cell-phone -- completely biodegradable.

    At this rate we'll have silly elf-leaves growing around our ears that allow us to communicate with each other -- having all the appearance of telepathy but all the boring reality of CDMA

    1. Re:Sci-Fi Reality by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

      How about a philodendron that texts you at work when it needs water?

    2. Re:Sci-Fi Reality by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      having all the appearance of telepathy but all the boring reality of CDMA

      CDMA is rather amazing, actually....

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    3. Re:Sci-Fi Reality by MobyDisk · · Score: 1

      I recommend you read "The Diamond Age" by Neal Stephenson.

  5. Re:And then they rise up... by fyngyrz · · Score: 1

    I want Furies*. Because that would really sting.

    * Keith Roberts "The Furies"

    --
    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  6. Robotic Plant Overlords by koelpien · · Score: 1

    I, for one, wholeheartedly welcome our Robotic Plant Overlords.

    1. Re:Robotic Plant Overlords by AthanasiusKircher · · Score: 1

      I, for one, wholeheartedly welcome our Robotic Plant Overlords.

      I don't. At least there will be warning. Just watch out for these plants demanding blood. They are known to prey on unsuspecting awkward antisocial guys and make them extravagant promises, so this is particularly relevant to the Slashdot crowd.

      I quote an ancient warning song of the bards passed down for generations:

      They may offer you fortune and fame,
      Love and money and instant acclaim,
      But whatever they offer you:
      Don't feed the plants!

      They may offer you lots of cheap thrills,
      Fancy condos in Beverly Hills,
      But whatever they offer you:
      Don't feed the plants!

      I have even heard tell of an old-fashioned morality play which shows the consequences of ignoring this advice.

  7. Pottering with circuitry by fyngyrz · · Score: 1

    But just think of the buzz you could get!

    --
    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  8. Re:And then they rise up... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    I want Furies*.

    I first read that as "I want Furries".

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  9. Uh oh. by John+Jorsett · · Score: 1

    The advance may even allow people to harness energy from trees and shrubs not by cutting them down and using them for fuel, but by plugging directly into their photosynthesis machinery.

    Isn't this how The Matrix began?

  10. What happens if you EAT this salad? by Ungrounded+Lightning · · Score: 1

    Does it get broken down into something harmless in the stomach? Or do YOU get conductive lines along YOUR plumbing?

    It's not a minor thing: For starters the heartbeat propagation is partly electrical. Better-than-blood-plasma conductors laid out along the plumbing of the heart might affect the heartbeat in a dangerous manner.

    --
    Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
  11. Re:We've heard this all before. by michelcolman · · Score: 1

    There's plenty of prior art too.

  12. Re:Evolution of charge-storing plants? by vivian · · Score: 1

    Now that's what I'd call a power plant!

  13. Re:And then they rise up... by fyngyrz · · Score: 1

    Ouch. :)

    --
    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  14. Re:Big words scare me. They must be dangerous! by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

    "Obviously Eeeevil Monsanto is involved."

    I for one would love to see Monsanto using this tech in plants that taze anti-GMO activists attacking their test fields.

  15. Re:Big words scare me. They must be dangerous! by Nutria · · Score: 1

    LOL.

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  16. Mr Ranger isn't gonna like this Yogi! by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

    Opps, I meant the anti-GMO crowd. This electrical circuitry might get out into the wild, and soon the only roses left will be circuitzed.

    --
    The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  17. plant batteries by graphius · · Score: 1

    so much for the matrix...