Neon trees to save and light the earth?

[jwinslow]

http://gizmodo.com/5689608/neon-trees

Taiwanese researchers have stumbled onto something truly magical. When gold nanoparticles were introduced into Bacopa caroliniana plants they caused the chlorophyll to produce reddish light. Bye-bye street lights? But wait, there's more: While lit, the glowing trees vegetation consumed more carbon from the atmosphere than normal (i.e. the luminescence causes the cells to undergo photosynthesis).

PopSci calls this a "triple threat," in that the trees could cut energy costs, reduce global warming and keep streets safely lit at night. I'm more than inclined to agree.

Original link:
http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2010/11/leaves_glow.asp

 

[ScriptOhio]

Re: They succeeded by synthesizing gold nanoparticles and implanting them into leaves of the Bacopa caroliniana plant to induce bio-luminescence in them.
Bacopa caroliniana is a perennial aquatic or semi-aquatic creeping herb commonly used as an aquarium plant.

This is hardly a tree:

Do they have to implant every individual leaf?

 

[scooter1369]

Re: They succeeded by synthesizing gold nanoparticles and implanting them into leaves of the Bacopa caroliniana plant to induce bio-luminescence in them.
Bacopa caroliniana is a perennial aquatic or semi-aquatic creeping herb commonly used as an aquarium plant.

This is hardly a tree:

Do they have to implant every individual leaf?

If it worked in that plant, what's to say it wouldn't work in a sugar maple or an oak tree?

 

[3074326]

If it worked in that plant, what's to say it wouldn't work in a sugar maple or an oak tree?

It would probably work in anything. Just not sure of the practicality of something that has to be implanted. I'm not sure how it works, so it might not be as tedious as it sounds.

Still really awesome and I hope something comes of it.

 

[MaxBuck]

... not sure of the practicality of something that has to be implanted.

I don't know, it's worked pretty well in humans.

 

[Poe McKnoe]

http://gizmodo.com/5689608/neon-trees

Original link:
http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2010/11/leaves_glow.asp

While I don't doubt some combinations could emit some kind of illumination, it's probably fairly drastic to assume we can light streets with it considering the lumen rating needed to have it done effectively. Light comes using energy. A chemical reaction in the plant would probably have to occur, which would not only give off light, but create additional heat and consume some elements of the plant.

Why don't we just build roofs over our roads and fill them with fireflies? At least that's a little brighter!

 

[Muck]

This is hardly a tree:

I believe the term you're looking for is "future invasive species".

Why don't we just build roofs over our roads and fill them with fireflies? At least that's a little brighter!

Awesome!

I miss fireflies, there aren't nearly as many around as there used to be. :(

 

[Gatorubet]

PopSci calls this a "triple threat," in that the trees could cut energy costs, reduce global warming and keep streets safely lit at night. I'm more than inclined to agree.

Sleepy bird is too sleepy to comment on an article about assholes keeping the leaf lights on all night...

 

[3074326]

I don't know, it's worked pretty well in humans.

Let's give people like her this glow effect and have her stand around naked when we need light.

 

[exhawg]

I think someone has watched Avatar a few too many times.

 

[PlanetFrnd]

I think someone has watched Avatar a few too many times.

Yep, and now I want to kill myself for not living in such a rad place as the CGI world...

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Light comes using energy. A chemical reaction in the plant would probably have to occur, which would not only give off light, but create additional heat and consume some elements of the plant.

I'm guessing you slept through a lot of biology classes...