Breakthrough creates wood that glows in the dark

Swiss scientists have just announced an interesting discovery when creating wood that can glow in the dark.

To achieve this, scientists have used the help of a fungus. The success in developing glowing wood will make the image of a glowing table or wooden fence posts guided by mysterious light no longer a part of the imagination.

According to research, some species of fungi are able to fluoresce when combined with wood, although the phenomenon is rare and difficult to reproduce. However, the team at Empa has created the conditions necessary to produce glowing wood. The most effective combination found was between the ringless honey mushroom (Desarmillaria tabescens) and balsa wood, allowing them to fluoresce for up to 10 days at a wavelength of 560 nanometers, creating a classic blue light.

The problem is that the process of making this glowing wood is not simple. The fungus and wood need to be incubated in a humid environment for 3 months. During this time, the balsa wood absorbs 8 times its weight in water and only begins to glow when exposed to oxygen. At this point, the enzyme luciferase, similar to the enzyme found in fireflies, triggers a reaction that emits green light.

Breakthrough creates wood that glows in the dark Picture 1 Breakthrough creates wood that glows in the dark Picture 1

Glowing wooden fences in the park will no longer be a fantasy.

Research has also shown that fungi are able to break down lignin, a natural polymer that gives wood its strength and durability. However, this does not reduce the overall stability of the wood because the cellulose is still preserved.

The researchers hope to improve the technique to increase the intensity and longevity of the bioluminescent wood. The ultimate goal is to provide an energy-efficient light source for living and public spaces. In addition to embedding 'dead' wood, other research is looking at creating trees that glow with similar goals.

The research was published in the journal Advanced Science. The team also shared their work in a video with English subtitles for easy viewing.