Nanotechnology detects epidemics before outbreak

New technology developed by space scientists from NASA can detect deadly contamination in food and water.

The biosensor can detect traces of viruses, bacteria and parasites in food, water, and other potentially contaminated sources.

When biohazards are detected by the sensor it creates an electric signal which is fed back to a computer. This signal is then used to work out the level of contamination.

NASA has licensed the technology to New-York-based Early Warning Inc., who will make the biosensor available commercially.

It is expected that the breakthrough could save millions of lives every year, as deadly illnesses are now detectable without the need for a laboratory and technicians.

Interest in the technology is likely to come from hospitals, food companies, water suppliers, and even airlines.

Harry Partridge, a member of the NASA team who developed the biosensor, said that while NASA wanted the technologies to be used in space applications, it considered it equally important for NASA research to be used in real world products that can benefit society.