Empa Researchers Develop Bioluminescent Wood Using Natural Fungal Processes

Empa Researchers Develop Bioluminescent Wood Using Natural Fungal Processes

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers have developed bioluminescent wood by infusing hardwood with the honey fungus (Desarmillaria tabescens), a naturally luminous organism. This innovation offers sustainable uses for hardwoods, which are increasingly planted in Swiss forests to combat climate change. The wood emits a green glow due to the fungus’s production of luciferin, with potential applications in design, furniture, and technical materials. The research highlights the intersection of biotechnology and nature, transforming traditional materials into sustainable, multifunctional solutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 28-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — As Swiss forests increasingly embrace deciduous trees to combat climate change and bark beetle threats, researchers at Empa are exploring innovative ways to enhance the sustainable use of hardwoods. The latest breakthrough: luminous wood that glows in the dark, offering potential for applications ranging from technical materials to designer furniture and jewelry.

A Fungal Partnership: Natural Luminescence in Wood

The luminous wood is created by harnessing the natural bioluminescence of the honey fungus (Desarmillaria tabescens), a wood-degrading pathogen known for causing white rot. This fungus produces luciferin, a substance that emits green light through an enzymatic process. By infusing balsa wood with fungal threads, the researchers successfully created a biohybrid material that glows under the right conditions.

Empa scientist and fungal researcher Francis Schwarze led the project, leveraging the fungus’s natural properties to develop the glowing wood in a controlled laboratory setting. The honey fungus, particularly the ringless species, was found to degrade lignin—a component responsible for wood’s stiffness—without compromising its structural stability, leaving cellulose intact to maintain tensile strength.

Optimizing the Glow

The biohybrid wood achieves peak luminosity after three months of incubation in a moist environment, where it absorbs significant moisture. Once exposed to air, the wood emits a green glow with a wavelength of 560 nanometers. Although the effect currently lasts about ten days, researchers are working to enhance the brightness and longevity of the luminescence.

From Ancient Phenomena to Modern Applications

Bioluminescence in wood has been documented for millennia, with references as far back as Aristotle. Known as “foxfire,” this phenomenon is caused by bioluminescent fungi. Empa’s research brings this natural marvel into the laboratory, providing a foundation for sustainable materials with potential uses in decorative and functional applications.

Natural Inspiration: Bioluminescence in Organisms

Bioluminescence is widespread in nature, seen in organisms like fireflies, jellyfish, and squid. While the honey fungus’s luminescence is less efficient than that of fireflies, its unique integration into wood opens doors to new possibilities for sustainable, multifunctional materials.

A Step Towards Sustainable Hardwood Utilization

This innovative approach aligns with the goals of cascade utilization, maximizing the use of hardwoods before they are ultimately burned for energy. By equipping wood with new functionalities, such as luminescence, Empa researchers aim to broaden the applications of Swiss hardwood, reducing its carbon footprint and adding value to an abundant natural resource.

This glowing wood exemplifies how ancient natural processes can inspire cutting-edge materials science, paving the way for both sustainable innovation and creative applications in various industries.

Media Contacts:

Prof. Dr. Francis Schwarze
Cellulose & Wood Materials
Phone +41 58 765 7247
Francis.Schwarze@empa.ch

Dr. Giorgia Giovannini
Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles
Phone +41 58 765 7803
giorgia.giovannini@empa.ch

Dr. Andrea Six
Communications
Phone +41 58 765 6133
redaktion@empa.ch

SOURCE: EMPA