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