Anthrax Detection Device
Encyclopedia
The BSM-2000 is a Bacterial spore detection system developed by Universal Detection Technology in collaboration with NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...

's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, that can detect Anthrax Spores in the air.

How the Device Functions

By taking continuous air samples and using heat to cause the spores to release a chemical called dipicolinic acid
Dipicolinic acid
Dipicolinic acid is a chemical compound which composes 5% to 15% of the dry weight of bacterial spores...

, which is unique to bacterial spores.
The acid reacts with a sensor which produces an intense green luminescence under ultraviolet light. The concentration of the spore sample can be determined by the intensity of illuminescense.
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