University students are about to experience a revolutionary way to decorate their dorm rooms, moving beyond traditional black-light posters. Researchers have successfully developed glow-in-the-dark plants by infusing succulents with special materials akin to those that make posters shine. These unique plants emit light with the intensity of a night light and can be produced in a dazzling array of colors, marking a significant milestone for glowing houseplants.
The groundbreaking research, led by Xuejie Zhang, a materials scientist at the South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou, was detailed in the journal Matter. The team has also filed for a patent on this innovative technology, with hopes of creating decorative installations and new forms of living lighting that could transform interior spaces.
The quest to create glowing plants has fascinated scientists since the late 1980s, when the first bioluminescent plant was produced by inserting a firefly gene into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). This pioneering work laid the groundwork for the first genetically engineered luminescent houseplant to hit the U.S. market last year. The biotechnology firm Light Bio, based in Sun Valley, Idaho, introduced a petunia (Petunia hybrida) that emits a faint green glow, thanks to genes derived from a light-emitting mushroom.
In contrast to the petunia, which glows through chemical reactions within its cells, the newly developed succulent shines due to materials injected directly into its leaves. These materials consist of phosphor particles made from strontium and aluminum, combined with other metals. They work by absorbing energy from light at one wavelength, storing some of that energy, and slowly re-emitting it at a different wavelength for several hours. For example, one of the injected materials absorbs ultraviolet and blue light, re-emitting it as a vibrant green light.
This type of ‘afterglow’ phosphor is commonly found in glow-in-the-dark toys and paints, as well as serving as imaging tracers for laboratory animals. While genetically engineered bioluminescent plants are currently limited in the spectrum of colors they can emit, these afterglow phosphors offer a broader range of hues, including reds and blues, and can be mixed to produce a brilliant white glow.
The researchers utilized phosphors containing strontium aluminate, grinding them down to various particle sizes before injecting them into different plants. Their findings revealed that particles measuring around 7 micrometers in diameter resulted in a brighter glow compared to smaller nanoparticles. These larger particles effectively filled the interior tissues of succulent leaves, creating a stronger and more uniform illumination. In contrast, plants with simpler leaf structures, like tobacco and pak choi, displayed a more uneven glow.
The development of these glow-in-the-dark succulents represents a significant leap forward in the world of indoor plants and décor. As this technology advances, it holds the potential to redefine how we illuminate our living spaces, particularly for students seeking a unique and vibrant atmosphere in their dorm rooms.
