The butterfly sensor can detect the smallest amounts of explosives Butterfly sensor is a breakthrough in bomb detection Researchers at General Electric Global Research have come with a so-called butterfly sensor that will help improve the technology used to detect explosive materials and weaponry, such as bombs. Nowadays, the technology used to detect this kind of dangerous weaponry that is usually involved in terrorist attacks is bulky, expensive and hard to use, which is why GE Global Research has been working on making a breakthrough in the field of bomb-detection. The butterfly sensor doesn’t really resemble a butterfly, but it does draw some of its components from the Morpho butterfly.