14 DAY TRIAL // The Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer process allows scientists to make nanorods glow using the chemical reaction that turns fireflies into some of the world's brightest insects.
Apparently, fireflies produce bioluminescence when luciferin (i.e. a light emitting compound) meets the enzyme luciferase (i.e. an oxydative type of enzime).
By coating the nanorods in luciferase, and then adding luciferin as a light-igniting fuel, the researchers successfully came up with laboratory-made bioluminescence.
Presently, they are working on developing methods to sustain this chemical reaction for longer periods of time.
Should they manage to do so, these firefly-wanna-be nanorods could be used when manufacturing things such as night goggles, telescopes, cameras and medical imaging.
Who knows, maybe they'll soon even replace your present-day lightbulbs.