In a groundbreaking leap towards sustainable lighting, a team of researchers in Switzerland has successfully created a composite material that glows in the dark by infusing wood with bioluminescent fungi. The innovation, which could one day serve as a self-sufficient, eco-friendly alternative to streetlights and other electric lighting, is the culmination of years of research into the natural phenomenon of “foxfire.”

The project, led by fungal researcher Francis Schwarze from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), used a parasitic honey fungus, Desarmillaria tabescens, known for its ability to naturally produce a green glow in decaying wood. By carefully controlling the process in a laboratory, the team was able to create a “biohybrid” material. The fungi break down lignin, a key polymer in wood, while leaving the cellulose intact, allowing the wood to retain its structural integrity while becoming a light source.

The glowing wood, which emits a soft green light, requires no electricity, batteries, or external power. The bioluminescent reaction is triggered by a chemical process within the fungus itself and is fully activated upon exposure to air. According to the researchers, the glow can last for several days, and they are now working to increase its intensity and longevity.

While the technology is still in its early stages, the potential applications are vast and varied. Beyond replacing streetlights, the luminous wood could be used for designer furniture, architectural facades, emergency signage, and even jewelry. The breakthrough offers a compelling vision of a future where lighting is not a consumer of power but a passive, beautiful, and sustainable byproduct of nature’s own processes, helping to reduce energy consumption and light pollution in urban environments.