These glass cassettes are prototypes for a project to adapt bacterial bioluminescence to make a novel form of mood lighting for homes . In Nature, this form of light is often employed by predators as a lure, and like a form of biological temazepan, it has unique hypnotic and calming propeties. I also placed the light cassettes onto an old overhead projector to determine whether the bioluminescent light could be projected onto a surface. It can be and I’m currently imagining a way to make a pure beam of laser-like biological light.
These are gorgeous, Simon. For what length of time do the bacteria last and continue to make bioluminescence? Do you have to feed them?
Thanks Krisanne. The length of time that the bacteria produce light depends very much on temperature. The lower the longer. Usually at room temperature, they will produce light for 4-5 days.
How practical would it be to make a bioluminescent light bulb? I imagine a lot of energy could be saved compared with an electrical bulb?
The light of bioluminescence is dimmer than electric lighting but a bioluminescent light bulb is a great idea. The bacteria tend to become dark as they run out of nutrients so the challenge would be to ensure a continued supply of these