Publication

An integrated synthetic biology and robotics approach for neutralising landmines in post-war communities

2026

Abstract

Unexploded ordnances (UXOs) and landmines endanger lives and hinder the economic progress of communities living in post-conflict zones. Currently, the primary method for clearing UXOs relies on metal detection and manual removal of UXOs - an expensive, time-consuming, and hazardous process. This study, derived from the 2024 EPFL iGEM project SYNPLODE, presents a new approach that integrates synthetic biology and aerial drone robotics, proposing a novel, end-to-end, safe, and efficient solution to address UXOs. Starting from bacteria engineered to detect and degrade 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), a common explosive in landmines, our solution is designed for three main tasks: detecting TNT and RDX, breaking these compounds down into non-explosive byproducts, and confirming explosive neutralisation. To deploy this solution safely in UXO-contaminated areas, we designed, built, and tested an aerial drone capable of spraying explosive-degrading bacteria. Combining synthetic biology, robotics, mathematical modelling, and affected community engagement, our solution aims to improve UXO and landmine clearance by offering a scalable and cost-effective approach for deactivating UXOs without risking human lives.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/039bd29a-6254-46d2-843e-db242d044483

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/039bd29a-6254-46d2-843e-db242d044483

About this result

Related concepts (27)

Land mine

A land mine, or landmine, is an explosive weapon concealed under or camouflaged on the ground, and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets, ranging from combatants to vehicles and tanks, as they pass over or near it. Such a device is typically detonated automatically by way of pressure when a target steps on it or drives over it, although other detonation mechanisms are also sometimes used. A land mine may cause damage by direct blast effect, by fragments that are thrown by the blast, or by both.

Demining

Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing land mines from an area. In military operations, the object is to rapidly clear a path through a minefield, and this is often done with devices such as mine plows and blast waves. By contrast, the goal of humanitarian demining is to remove all of the landmines to a given depth and make the land safe for human use. Specially trained dogs are also used to narrow down the search and verify that an area is cleared. Mechanical devices such as flails and excavators are sometimes used to clear mines.

Robotics

Robotics is an interdisciplinary branch of electronics and communication, computer science and engineering. Robotics involves the design, construction, operation, and use of robots. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can help and assist humans. Robotics integrates fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, information engineering, mechatronics engineering, electronics, biomedical engineering, computer engineering, control systems engineering, software engineering, mathematics, etc.

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An integrated synthetic biology and robotics approach for neutralising landmines in post-war communities

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