Glow worms and fireflies emit light on their own. Is it possible to implant this characteristic into trees ? This would enable eco -friendly lighting of roads. Alternatively how can we ensure multitude of fireflies to park them selves on particular trees? In other words what attracts fireflies? This could be also used to power sensors using PV cells. This is an open general explorative q. All are welcome to offer their views..
Maybe it works without genetically modified trees. More than 80 fungi species are bioluminescent.
http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/4/e1602847
The trees itself do the opposite, turn energy from light to energy in larger molecules. So, I would rather use symbiotic bioluminescent fungi on trees to provide a solution. Precautiossness is essential to avoid the spreading of the fungi.
Interesting report: what I had in mind.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/648085/mit-scientists-create-plants-can.html
quote"
MIT scientists have found a way to induce plants to give off dim light by embedding specialised nanoparticles into their leaves, a major step towards using plants to illuminate the workspace.
This technology could also be used to provide low- intensity indoor lighting, or to transform trees into self- powered streetlights, the researchers said.
"The vision is to make a plant that will function as a desk lamp - a lamp that you don't have to plug in. The light is ultimately powered by the energy metabolism of the plant itself," said Michael Strano, Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.
To create the glowing plants, the team turned to luciferase, the enzyme that gives fireflies their glow.
Luciferase acts on a molecule called luciferin, causing it to emit light.
Another molecule called co-enzyme A helps the process along by removing a reaction byproduct that can inhibit luciferase activity." unquote
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