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Argus: Nanosensors Inside Plants

Harpreet Singh Sareen presents Argus, a groundbreaking project inspired by environmental crises like the Flint water crisis and New Jersey school water problems. Argus is a living plant with nanosensors that continuously monitor water for heavy metal impurities, providing a real-time, electricity-free water monitoring platform. The project was completed in 2019 and has been exhibited globally, including at the Science Gallery Bangalore and the Future of Everything WSJ Festival in NYC.

Argus's nanosensors, injected inside the leaves, enable real-time detection of heavy metal toxicity, offering a visible output within 15 minutes to 2 hours, unlike current lab methods. The plant's DNA nanosensors provide an optical readout of lead in water, utilizing a sensor assay inside leaves and carbon nanotubes. This innovative approach allows the plant to operate as a natural motor, continuously sampling water and detecting impurities without the need for electricity.

Harpreet Sareen, along with team member Pattie Maes, overcame significant challenges to create the world's first electricity-free water monitoring platform. The project addresses the critical need for real-time monitoring of water quality, offering a sustainable and efficient solution to environmental challenges.

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