Sustainable Development Impact

Nowadays, we sense CO2 and other substances of interest in the ambient, using electronic sensors. Thus, the waste of electronic components and electricity is more than if we use plants to do the same work.

With our plants you can save a lot of materials and resources like electronic components, different types of metals, plastics, etc. As well as at the same time they detect these substances they are producing O2 through photosynthesis.

These advantages not only impact nowadays, but they also impact on the long term. Whe we stop using electrical sensors, both at the level of waste or at the level of energy expenditure we touch on the topics of:

  • Sustainability: Using natural solutions like plants would reduce the need for electronic components and synthetic materials, contributing to the reduction of electronic waste and a smaller carbon footprint. In conclusion, at the same time that we save resources and energy, we do not produce any type of waste. Which also affects the nº11 ODS about which we will talk later.
  • Lower Costs: The production and maintenance of electronic sensors are expensive. Using plants as biosensors could potentially lower the costs associated with manufacturing and device replacement. Helping in the making of the nº7 ODS
  • Lack of materials: With our plants, you can save a lot of materials and resources like electronic components, different types of metals, plastics, etc. Nowadays, these materials are getting expensive because of the lack of them. This lack of materials is an important problem for our society. This is implemented in the nº7 ODS touched upon later on.
  • Interaction with the Environment: Plants might be more adaptable for detecting changes in the environment, as they actively respond to various environmental factors such as humidity, light, and the presence of chemicals, which affects the nº15 ODS.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Plants can maintain their biological function while acting as sensors, which could allow for continuous and long-term monitoring without the need to replace batteries of other electronic components.
  • Integration Potential: Plant-based biosensors could be easily integrated into natural environments, such as gardens, forests, or agricultural areas, enabling more accurate and direct monitoring of environmental changes.
  • Education and Awareness: The use of plant-based biosensors could promote environmental education and increase awareness about the relationship between humans and nature.
  • Creation of beneficial substances: Our plants measure the levels of CO2 and they also produce O2 through photosynthesis. So, apart from detecting a problem, it solves other.

At a social level, the bond created with plants improves the quality of the population's mental health. The use of plants as biosensors could increase public awareness about the importance of sustainability and the relationship between humans and nature, which could encourage greater environmental education and promote more responsible practices.

Furthermore, the implementation of biosensors in local environments, such as community gardens or natural areas, could involve the community in monitoring and protecting the environment, this could strengthen social ties and create a sense of shared responsibility towards the environment.

Also by reducing electronic devices, the amount of electronic waste generated will be reduced, this will make the environment cleaner and healthier, which in turn would positively impact people's quality of life. Plant-based biosensors could be more accessible to communities with limited resources, as plants are more affordable and can be grown locally, this could democratize the technology and allow for greater participation in environmental monitoring. An electronic CO2 sensor consumes energy. But if you use a plant as your sensor you do not need energy, which is an important issue in the actual energetic crisis. This is a great advantage for society and it could have a huge impact on the environment.

Lastly, adopting nature-based approaches could inspire new research into sustainable and biodegradable technologies, potentially shifting the direction of technological innovation towards more environmentally respectful solutions.

In addition to all this implementations our project affects multiple ODS like:

  • Nº3: Health and well-being: The health of living beings with the different uses and possibilities of plants.
  • Nº7: Affordable and non-polluting energy: Because it does not consume energy and replaces objects that perform the same function that, if not treated correctly, are polluting.
  • Nº11: Sustainable cities and communities: Because they green the cities while allowing us to know if there is presence of the substance to be detected.
  • Nº12: Responsible production and consumption: Because by achieving stable lines, more biosensors can be reproduced and obtained in a completely sustainable way
  • Nº15: Life of terrestrial ecosystems: With the help of biosensors we help improve the quality of natural habitats without interfering industrially.

In conclusion, our genetically modified plants are more efficient, necessary and advantageous than electronic sensors.

Plants Electronic sensors
Does not need electricity Needs electricity
Its manufacturing is fast and efficient Its manufacture is expensive and slow, and the use of plastics, metals, etc. is necessary.
The life of the biosensor is indefinite since the plant can give seeds that allow you to create another plant When the sensor breaks, you will have to buy another one and the broken one will be useless. However, they could be repared but they should be used more electrical compounds.
They are easier to transport since they do not need a source of electricity They are difficult to transport since they need to have a source of electricity for their operation.
They purify the air They do not purify the air