Scientists have created plants that glow in dark. They are hoping to produce plants that can light up our lives. scientists are from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in USA. They hope their discovery could lead to plant lights replacing electric lights. One day, even light that trees produce could replace street lights. Professor Michael Strano, lead author of research, explained that his team wants to create sustainable light sources and help environment. He said: "The vision is to make plant that will function as desk lamp - lamp that you don't have to plug in. light is ultimately powered by energy metabolism of the plant itself."
researchers got the idea for their lighting plants from fireflies. They looked at substance in fireflies that makes them glow. They created nanoparticles that contain substance. They then put nanoparticles into plant leaves to make them glow. The scientists were able to make plants that glowed for nearly four hours. The research team has tested substance on salad leaves, including spinach and watercress. Professor Strano said: "Our target is to perform one treatment, when plant is a seedling or mature plant, and have it last for lifetime of the plant." He thinks plant lights will be part of our life in the future. He said: "We think this is idea whose time has come."
