Since the reaction produces nitrous oxide with a
specific isotopic
signature, Joye says: «This could be an easy way to «sniff» around the surface
of Mars looking for pockets
of subsurface brine that might be hotspots for extreme microbial
life.»
«It's all about detecting
specific signatures of how people behave, in any kind
of aspect
of their
life, whether it's tweeting, commenting, or moving around,» says Grauwin, who is working in the Senseable City Lab via a fellowship with the technology firm Ericsson.