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Researchers have injected succulents with light-emitting compounds to produce multicolour luminescent plants for the first time. The work brings us a step closer to developing sustainable, plant-based lighting. “Picture the world of Avatar, where glowing plants light up an entire ecosystem,” says Shuting Liu of South China Agricultural University, first author of the study presenting the research in the journal Matter. “We wanted to make that vision possible using materials we already work with in the lab. Imagine glowing trees replacing streetlights.” The injected ‘afterglow phosphor particles’ absorb sunlight and release it slowly over time as coloured light. https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/materials/glow-in-the-dark-succulents/