Glow-in-the-Dark Wood Offers Sustainable Lighting Solutions

Imagine a wooden deck, fence, or even an interior feature that lights up automatically at dusk, without relying on traditional energy sources. Thanks to an innovative application of fungi, scientists in Switzerland have developed a way to make wood glow in the dark, enabling passive illumination that could be used in a range of applications.

Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), in collaboration with Empa (the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology), have introduced a bioluminescent fungus, known as Panellus stipticus, into poplar wood to create a sustained, green glow. The process involves a special treatment of the wood to optimise moisture levels, followed by controlled colonisation by the fungus. This method enables the treated wood to glow for up to 90 days, without the need for external power sources.

The Process of Making Glowing Wood
To make the wood bioluminescent, it first needs to be conditioned to allow optimal fungal growth. The researchers treated the wood for three months in a controlled environment, during which the fungus was given access to both oxygen and moisture. The wood was saturated up to eight times its weight in water, making it ideal for fungal growth. The bioluminescent effect is produced by luciferase, an enzyme generated by the fungus, which causes the wood to emit a bright green glow in darkness.

Remarkably, the fungus breaks down the lignin in the wood (the primary polymer that provides stiffness and compressive strength) without compromising the wood’s overall durability. Empa researchers confirmed that despite the partial breakdown of lignin, the treated wood retains its mechanical stability, making it suitable for practical applications such as building components or furniture. Additionally, the presence of the fungus provides tensile strength, helping to maintain the wood’s integrity.

Applications and Benefits
This technology holds promising potential for a variety of design disciplines. For landscape architects, glowing wood could provide an energy-efficient way to illuminate parks and gardens. Applications such as glowing fences or pathways could safely guide visitors at night. For architects and interior designers, the material offers the opportunity to incorporate unique lighting features into buildings and outdoor spaces, enhancing aesthetic appeal while promoting sustainability. Such innovations could significantly reduce reliance on electric lighting and fossil fuels, aligning with sustainable building strategies and efforts to reduce the ecological footprint.

Product and fashion designers may also find inspiration in bioluminescent wood. Consider small interior accessories, decorative lighting elements, or even fashion items that feature wood glowing in the dark. This material is biobased, and using fungi fits well with the current trend towards circular and environmentally responsible design.

Sustainability and Future Outlook
This bioluminescent wood exemplifies the broader trend towards sustainable and circular materials in the design world. The researchers’ ultimate goal is to further enhance the glow’s intensity and lifespan. Currently, the glow is bright enough to be effective in darkness, but further developments could make the material commercially viable for larger, longer-term applications.

The research team is actively refining the laboratory parameters to further enhance the wood’s luminescence and ensure consistency in various environmental conditions. The team continues to explore how bioluminescent wood could be used for functional lighting in both indoor and outdoor settings, providing an alternative to traditional energy sources and promoting sustainability.

Source: Empa, New Atlas
Photos: Empa