Research by Taiwanese scientists has revealed that adding gold nanoparticles to plants can induce luminescence in leaves. Dr Yen Hsun Su and his colleagues are imagining a future where streetlights are replaced by trees, reducing the pollution of cities in two ways: a) no electricity is used to create the light, and b) trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a waste product. It sounds like a fantastic idea, although I'm slightly skeptical about the practicalities.
Does the thought of walking down a leaf-lit street at night (or seeing it from above) "wow" you?
How else could this technology be used? Glowing Christmas trees? Potted night-lights for young children?
Photo © Paul Dex
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