What would happen if you could grow your own lamp out of a plant? Scientists are experimenting with doing just that.
Many kinds of animals glow in the dark, a process called bioluminescence. Fireflies, squid, and fish all use light to attract mates or lure prey. Now, a team of scientists in China has figured out how to make plants glow in the dark.
The team from South China Agricultural University injected the leaves of succulent plants with light-storing microparticles called phosphors. The phosphors absorb light when it is available. The particles continue to glow when the light source is removed, much like glow-in-the-dark stickers.
The phosphors create a “plant lamp” that can have a blue, green, red, or blue-violet glow. The plant lamp’s glow lasts for about two hours and becomes much dimmer after about 30 minutes.
There are some concerns about using phosphor particles in plants. For example, could the particles be toxic to animals that might eat the glowing plant? The research team has not yet tested their effects on animals.
Shuting Liu is the head of the plant lamp research team. She is optimistic that her glowing plants have a bright future once her team confirms their safety and works out how to make them glow for longer periods.
“One could imagine gardens or public spaces softly illuminated at night by glowing plants — a form of living, energy-saving light bulbs that are as aesthetic as they are functional,” she said.
David Brown adapted this story for Mongabay Kids. It is based on an article by Bobby Bascomb, published on Mongabay News.
