Wood is experiencing a revival. Once a crucial material in the past, it’s now gaining attention in laboratories as researchers seek to maximize its potential. In the last few years, scientists have created transgenic wood aimed at replacing concrete, wood that grows stronger while capturing carbon dioxide, transparent wood for use in windows, and super-black wood that can absorb more than 99% of light.
One of the latest advancements in wood science is the development of luminous wood, which will allow a more efficient use of the material.
Luminous wood. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) recently created wood that glows in the dark. They were exploring ways to expand the applications of wood from the deciduous trees being planted in Switzerland.
Fungi. Biotechnologist Francis Schwarze leveraged his knowledge of bioluminescent organisms for the project. There are more than 70 bioluminescent fungi. As the basis for the experiment, the team used the ringless honey fungus (Desarmillaria tabescens), a parasite pest. The next step was to find the right type of wood for the study. After various tests, Schwarze settled on balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale).
Balsa wood is known for its low density. When researchers combined the fungus with the wood, they found that the fungus degraded the wood’s lignin, which acts as a “cement” binding the cellulose fibers together. Importantly, the cellulose, which serves as the primary structural component of wood, remained intact.
Glow. When the biohybrid of fungus and wood is incubated for three months in a humid environment, it undergoes an enzyme reaction that activates when the material comes into contact with air. The result is a green light emitted at a wavelength of 560 nanometers that lasts about 10 days. Researcher Giorgia Giovannini explained, “We are now optimizing the laboratory parameters in order to further increase the luminosity in the future.”
Future applications. Giovannini works in Empa’s Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles lab. This suggests potential applications for bioluminescent wood in the fashion industry. Additionally, Empa is targeting other industries, such as furniture and jewelry.
Further research. Empa scientists have also been working on other experiments. One notable project is waterproof wood, which was created by combining traditional wood with polymers. The team filled the microscopic gaps between the wood cells with plastic, preventing water from permeating the material. This makes it ideal for applications like bathroom furniture.
Another innovation is magnetic wood. Similar to the process used for waterproof wood, an Empa team introduced magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, which allow the wood to behave like metal and function as a magnet. Although the applications are specific (such as toys, furniture, and car interior accessories), manufacturers have already expressed interest in these advancements.
Overall, the scientific community is working on finding new uses for wood, even for niche applications like jewelry, toys, and accessories. Bioluminescence is particularly fascinating, and it’s already being explored for innovative uses such as illuminating cities.
Image | Empa
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