A team of Empa researchers has managed to create luminous wood

A team of Empa researchers has conducted a study, resulting in the creation of luminous wood , through the application of a natural bioluminescence process. This project is based on a fungus known as the honey fungus ( Desarmillaria tabescens ), and when integrated with wood it generates a green glow, similar to the light of fireflies.

The research behind luminous wood

Currently, much of this wood ends up being used as firewood. However, Empa’s research aims to exploit this natural resource in a more sustainable way, improving the use of wood, to turn it into a more versatile material with greater added value.

By applying a two-stage enzymatic process, the Empa team has succeeded in inducing fungi to produce luciferin , the substance responsible for bioluminescence. The result is wood that glows in the dark, which opens up new possibilities for its use, not only in technical applications, but also in the design of furniture, decorative objects and even jewellery.

The process of creating this luminous wood begins with the inoculation of balsa wood with threads of bioluminescent fungi. During three months of incubation under controlled conditions, the wood absorbs moisture, which triggers the bioluminescence process. After the process, the wood emits a green light with a wavelength of 560 nanometers, similar to the light emitted by fireflies.

The magic of bioluminescent fungi in wood

The Empa team has managed to maintain the structural stability of the wood during this process, demonstrating that wood can remain functional and resistant, despite the biotechnological modification and its new luminescent characteristic.

Luminous wood from the mushroom lab. Source: Empa-TV

As researchers optimize the process, luminous wood could become a common material in areas such as industrial design, architecture and luxury goods manufacturing. This research demonstrates the potential of biotechnology to change the use of natural materials, creating new perspectives in the field of construction innovation.

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Source and photo: EMPA