Chinese researchers have developed a biosensor that uses thioflavin T to detect strontium ions.

Strontium-90 is a radioactive product commonly found in nuclear reactor waste. It has a long half-life and is chemically similar to calcium. This radioisotope takes hundreds of years to decay to negligible levels and can accumulate in the food chain and in bones. It can therefore pose a risk to public health. Unfortunately, strontium(II) ions (Sr²⁺) are not easy to detect because they do not emit characteristic energy rays. A team of Chinese, British and Greek scientists has found a solution.