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Self-Propelling Microparticles Spot Ricin In Minutes (acs.org)

Posted by yaelk on from the how-to-get-smarter dept.

ckwu writes: Tiny rocketlike particles that move around on their own in a hydrogen peroxide solution can detect trace amounts of the lethal toxin ricin within minutes. The tube-shaped, microsized particles--made of graphene oxide lined with platinum--carry sensor molecules that glow when they bind to ricin. In a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution, the platinum catalyzes the breakdown of the peroxide into water and oxygen. The oxygen bubbles shoot out one end of the tube, propelling them in the liquid like little rockets. The swimming motors could actively seek out ricin in a sample and speed up detection, paving the way towards a quick, easy way to detect the bioterrorism agent in food and water samples (without having to bring them back to a lab).

21 comments

  1. Because real life == breaking bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ricin? Why?

    1. Re: Because real life == breaking bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because bioterrorism, even though it's only ever been shown to have been used in combat by a state actor.

      But don't let that stop you from being afraid that ISIS will put some in your BigMac or that super sized soda.

    2. Re:Because real life == breaking bad by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 2

      Minute Ricen

    3. Re: Because real life == breaking bad by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      As if the BigMac and the supersize soda hadn't been lethal enough already.

      Quite frankly, if statistics are any indicator, we should be deathly afraid of fast food rather than terrorism.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    4. Re:Because real life == breaking bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ok, I laughed.

    5. Re: Because real life == breaking bad by TheCarp · · Score: 1

      Exactly....like he said....why?

      This is exactly the response I would expect.... ridiculous fear. This is a movie plot risk. It is a risk so rare and so ridiculous that the detector has no value at all.

      Maybe something useful will come out of the research, but the stated goal is clear: To use bullshit excuses to get money to fund the lab.

      --
      "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
  2. Someone wants grant money. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    That's obviously what this is really about.

    Some scientist wants to get grant money and anything which is related to "terrorism"
    is likely to have a high probability of success when fishing for a grant.

    Never mind the fact that ricin is exceedingly difficult to produce and that doing so is
    very dangerous. Of course, facts like this would interfere with getting a grant.

    1. Re: Someone wants grant money. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because there are no other application or possible expansions upon this work, and because easr or luck could not be factors in ricen being used successfully?

    2. Re: Someone wants grant money. by TheCarp · · Score: 1

      He isn't saying that. However....those other applications are 100% of the actual benefit to anyone.

      The ONLY reason they are using ricin, is because they want some of that Fatherland Security gravy train. Nothing brings in the dollars like unfounded stupid fear. Its a recession proof industry.

      --
      "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
  3. drats...foiled again! by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    I'll get you next time

  4. Better headline by chadenright · · Score: 3, Funny

    A better headline might be: Micromissiles deliver payload, light ricin up.

  5. More "blundering" than "seeking out", I think by jeffb+(2.718) · · Score: 2

    This is a pretty cool concept, but I'm having some trouble convincing myself that nanoscopic swimming platinum/graphene tubes are really THAT much more effective than just, um, agitating the sample with the fluorescent agent?

    1. Re:More "blundering" than "seeking out", I think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, that was my thought as well. Super cool, lots of fun at parties.... but if volume of dilute sample and detection of the glow are the issues, wouldn't a small filter pack with the detection compound fixed on a substrate in the detector be more effective? You could just flow the fluid being tested through the filter and quickly concentrate your results.

      Kinda like how it is already done. Still, really cool micro-rockets.

  6. Yes but... by SirTicksAlot · · Score: 2

    Can it detect ricin in a packet of Stevia?

    1. Re:Yes but... by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

      Only in a solution of chamomile tea and soy milk, but, seriously, who in their right mind would mix that disgusting combination?

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  7. Minutes .. you'd be Dead Jim by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You have got to be Kidding right?

    In minutes they'll be doing a post morteum on you.

    1. Re:Minutes .. you'd be Dead Jim by dohzer · · Score: 1

      Especially if the ricin was in chocolate or a burger or something tasty like that.
      I'm not waiting MINUTES for the test to finish. I want food now!

    2. Re: Minutes .. you'd be Dead Jim by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 1

      and now the post-mortem can be done in minutes.

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  8. real life == dead ricin cook by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

    Ricin is one of those perennials, scare the folks in Topeka, get the nuts to kill themselves chasing 'easy solution'.

    The traditional way for the cops to find out about a ricin cook is when he/she starts to smell. 'Anarchists Cookbook' instructions being particularly fatal.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  9. Ricin in Minutes? by rossdee · · Score: 1

    If you keep you minutes in digital format and the members read them online, there'd be no way that anybody could get any biological orr chemical agents spread that way.

  10. Sure by tsotha · · Score: 1

    Sure, sure. Right up until Dr. X's mircoparticle cloud destroys them.