Imagine roads without classic lighting, but with trees that gently illuminate darkness. Science fiction scene? In a few years maybe not.

Scientists in China created the first colorful and especially bright plants shining in the dark, paving the way for a completely different way of lighting.

From the workshop to vision

Biologist Shuting Liu from the Agricultural University of Southern China, one of the authors of the study published in Matter magazine, explains:
“We wanted to do what we see in the world of Avatar: ecosystems that are naturally illuminated by plants. Imagine bright trees replacing the street lights. “

To succeed, Liu’s team used the Echeveria “Mebina” succulent, in which aluminum stontio inspiredthe same substance used in games that shine in the dark. The material absorbs light and gradually releases it, giving the plants an impressive glow.

Colorful shine beyond the boundaries of genetics

Unlike previous methods based on gene treatment, Chinese researchers managed to create red, blue and green plants with nanoparticles. To date, scientists have been limited to green shade.

“Our goal was to go beyond the natural boundaries of color and create a new category of” live lamps “that store and release light,” Liu notes.

A “green wall” of light

To show the capabilities of technology, the researchers created a wall of 56 plants that produced enough light to show texts and images at a distance of up to 10 cm.
After a few minutes in the sun, the plants could continue to shine for two hours, while maintaining the capacity of light even 25 days after treatment.

Boundaries and perspectives

Despite the enthusiasm, Liu admits that “brightness is still too low to have practical applications” and that additional studies on material safety, both for plants and animals.

Today, bright plants can be used mainly as decorative objects or night lights. However, scientists envision a world where gardens, parks and public spaces will be gently illuminated by plants, without any electricity consumption.

The skeptical look

Biochemistry Professor John Carr from the University of Cambridge does not agree and comment on CNN:

“I like the idea, but I think it goes beyond the limits of today’s technology and perhaps the plant’s own capabilities. I don’t think we will see plants soon replace the lights on the streets. “