Streetlights could be replaced by glowing trees, after scientists make plants shine in the dark
I think this is a fabulous story with something of a magical Christmas sparkle to it
In a study funded by the US Department of Energy, researchers at MIT proved it is possible to inject the luminescent chemical used by fireflies into leaves so that they shimmer brightly.
In watercress, the leaves gave off a light strong enough to read a book by, and the scientists believe that plants could one day illuminate homes and offices, without the need for electricity, as well as providing street lighting.
“The vision is to make a plant that will function as a desk lamp — a lamp that you don’t have to plug in,” said senior study author Michael Strano, Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT.
“The light is ultimately powered by the energy metabolism of the plant itself.