Light from mushrooms and wood: it seems like magic but it's science. Researchers atEmpa in Switzerland they have developed a wood and mycelium compound capable of emitting a green luminescence for several days. A discovery that paves the way for an innovative bioluminescent material to illuminate homes and public spaces in a sustainable way.
From the forest to the lab: the recipe for bioluminescent wood
The inspiration for this study came (as often happens) from nature itself. On rare occasions, walking through the woods at night, you can come across trunks or branches that emit a faint greenish glow. This phenomenon is due to special wood-eating fungi that glow as they decompose the wood.
Swiss researchers decided to recreate this process in the laboratory to obtain a stable and long-lasting bioluminescent material.
Desarmillaria tabescens under confocal microscope. Image: Empa
Casting for the perfect couple
After experimenting with different combinations of mushrooms and woods, the team identified the ideal mix: the mushroom Desarmillaria tabescens and the balsa wood. This combination was found to produce bright green fluorescence at a wavelength of 560 nanometers for up to 10 days.
Three months in incubation for a magical glow
How exactly do you get this amazing bioluminescent wood? The process takes time and patience. Researchers have discovered that the fungus and the wood They must be incubated together for a good three months in a very humid environment. During this period, the balsa absorbs up to eight times its weight in water. Luminescence begins only when the compound is exposed to oxygen. At that point, theluciferase enzyme (the same as fireflies) triggers a reaction that produces the characteristic green glow.
Analyzing the bioluminescent wood under a microscope, the researchers observed that the fungus decomposes the lignin, the natural polymer that gives wood its rigidity and resistance to compression. However, this process does not in any way compromise the overall stability of the material, since the cellulose remains intact. In other words, the wood maintains its structure while becoming bioluminescent.
Bioluminescent, sustainable and… fascinating
The Empa team is working to perfect this technique, with the aim of increasing the intensity and duration of the material's luminosity. The ambition, declared in the article published on advanced science (I link it here), is to use bioluminescent wood to create low-energy lighting systems for homes and public spaces.
Unlike other studies that aim to make living plants luminescent, here we are talking about “dead” wood, which greatly expands the application possibilities. Imagine furnishings, coverings, architectural elements that light up in the dark without the need for electricity. A fascinating combination of nature, science and design for a more magical and sustainable future. Shall we turn it on?
