Liu et al., Matter
Imagine if the plants in your home could do more than simply look decorative. Scientists at South China Agricultural University found a way to use nanoparticles to turn plants into softly glowing night lights.
Phosphor Compound Turns Succulents into Two-Hour Natural Night Lights
Researchers developed a phosphor compound that lets succulents absorb light in minutes and glow softly for up to two hours.
The afterglow phosphor, like that in glow-in-the-dark toys, is cheap, safe, and eliminates the need for genetic modification. Instead, it’s simply injected into the leaves.
Liu et al., Matter
This isn’t the first attempt to make plants glow. MIT made plants glow with firefly enzymes in 2017, mushroom DNA in 2020, and a shorter-lasting method in 2021.
Finding the Optimal Particle Size for Maximum Glow
For the latest work, the researchers had to refine more than just the commercial compound. They also needed to determine the ideal particle size for the phosphors to function effectively inside plants. Lead author Shuting Liu noted that smaller particles spread easily but glow weakly, while larger ones shine brighter but travel less.
After extensive testing, the team identified about 7 micrometers—roughly the width of a red blood cell—as the optimal size. They also found the particles performed best in succulents with thick leaves, rather than thinner-leaved plants like bok choy.
With the right particle size, concentration, and plant type, the phosphor quickly spread through succulent leaves, producing a uniform glow bright enough to light nearby objects.
Liu et al., Matter
Colorful, Low-Cost Glowing Plants for Décor and Lighting
The team developed phosphors that glow green, red, and blue, offering potential for décor and lighting. Each plant takes about 10 minutes to prepare and costs just over 10 yuan ($1.40), excluding labor.
Over 10 days, treated plants showed no damage, yellowing, or chlorophyll loss. The next phase of research will focus on studying the long-term impact of the phosphor to confirm its safety. If proven harmless, these glowing plants could one day light up large botanical gardens, offering visitors an immersive, radiant experience.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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