Think designer desks that glow in the dark or wooden fence posts that eerily illuminate your way home. Scientists in Switzerland have developed a way to make glowing wood with the help of fungi.
Stumbling on a glowing tree in the forest sounds like a magical experience, and it’s possible. Under certain conditions, certain types of mushrooms fluoresce when they consume wood, but this is rare and difficult to reproduce.
Empa scientists have now succeeded in creating conditions that create light in dark forests. The most effective combination was found to be ringless honey fungus (Desarmillaria tabescens) and balsa wood. Balsa wood could fluoresce for up to 10 days at a wavelength of 560 nanometers, the classic green glow.
However, it takes time to get the material to that stage. The researchers discovered that the fungi and wood needed to be cultured together for three months in a very humid environment. During this time, balsa wood absorbs up to eight times its weight in water and only begins to shine when exposed to oxygen. At that point, the enzyme luciferase (also found in fireflies) begins a reaction, causing a green glow.
Upon closer inspection, the researchers discovered that the fungus breaks down lignin, a natural polymer that provides stiffness and compressive strength, in wood. However, the cellulose remains intact and does not reduce the overall stability of the wood.
Researchers hope to improve the technology to increase the strength and longevity of bioluminescent wood. In their paper, they say their ultimate goal is to provide energy-saving lighting for homes and public spaces. Here they will be embedded in “dead” trees, but research is also being done to make living plants glow for the same purpose.
The study was published in the journal Advanced Science. The team explains their work in the video below, but you might want to turn on the English subtitles.
Pilz worker Leuchtholz
Source: Empa
