PREVIEW

Swiss researchers have developed a new kind of wood that glows in the dark.

Scientists at Empa's Cellulose & Wood Materials lab in St. Gallen, Switzerland, combined balsa wood with a bioluminescent fungus.

White rot fungus D. tabescens was used to craft the material which aims to develop a multifunctional and sustainable light source to address societal needs.

The team sees a future where advanced materials are “smart,” capable of self-healing, adapting to their environment, and changing state. The biohybrid wood, described as an "innovative hybrid material," could one day serve as an eco-friendly light source.

Project lead Francis Schwarze discovered that the honey fungus is particularly efficient at producing luciferin, the compound responsible for its glowing effect, known as "foxfire." After testing various wood types, balsa proved ideal due to its low density.

The concept of glowing fungi isn’t new - ancient philosophers like Aristotle and Pliny observed this phenomenon over 2,400 years ago. However, creating bioluminescent wood in the lab has been a significant challenge until now. According to the researchers, achieving the right balance between fungal species, wood type, moisture levels, and environmental conditions is key.

To make the wood glow, the team soaked balsa blocks in water for three months to achieve a moisture content of 700–1,200 per cent. Co-cultivating the wood with the fungus triggered a chemical reaction involving caffeic acid. This process produced bright green luminosity after about 10 hours, lasting up to 10 days.

“The moisture content of wood, oxygen levels, lignin, and malt all strongly influence the intensity of bioluminescence,” the researchers explained. During incubation, the wood absorbed eight times its weight in water, enabling the glowing effect.

The researchers believe this discovery could lead to electricity-free lighting solutions with minimal energy needs. Applications could range from reducing light pollution in cities to creating eco-friendly home lighting. However, further development is needed to increase the brightness and duration of the glow.

Future efforts will focus on improving the material’s performance, refining environmental controls, and testing more wood types. By unlocking the full potential of this natural process, researchers hope to create sustainable and versatile lighting options for everyday use.