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01 Lumínico

The Mushroom Network

Lumínico: Bioluminescent Habitat to Preserve Biodiversity

How could we use bioluminescence to create small habitats that contribute to biodiversity conservation and CO2 reduction?

According to data from the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research, Puerto Rico's power industry is the primary contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a 10% increase in contamination during 2022-23. Of these emissions, 86% are carbon dioxide (CO2), contributing to biodiversity loss, light pollution, and rising temperatures. Four of the world's 15 bioluminescent bays are in Puerto Rico, and 10% of the 71 known fungi species, including bioluminescent species, grow on the island. Bioluminescence can be observed in insects, bacteria, fungi, mollusks, fish, and dinoflagellates.

In response to the increase in CO2 and GHG emissions, this research focuses on the use of bioluminescent fungi to develop a biomaterial structure designed to form luminescent habitats. These habitats aim to clean the air through carbon capture and attract luminescent species, such as insects. The purpose is for these structures to serve as low-intensity lighting alternatives to help reduce light pollution.

The proposed bioluminescence living lights will meet the technical specifications of a low-intensity or standard LED and attract insects that aid in spore dispersal. Redesigning the low-intensity light with a living organism will help create new models of sustainable urban illumination while reducing greenhouse gasses produced by the excess use of electricity power for illumination.

Keywords: Bioluminescence, Fungi, Biomaterials, Low intensity lights, 3D printing, Carbon footprint

Puerto Rico GHG emissions

EDGAR (Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research) Community GHG Database, a collaboration between the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), the International Energy Agency (IEA), and comprising IEA-EDGAR CO2, EDGAR CH4, EDGAR N2O, EDGAR F-GASES version EDGAR_2024_GHG (2024) European Commission, JRC (Datasets).

Challenges

The lack of useful information about the life of bioluminescent organisms creates a market barrier to the development of functional and sustainable product design. I will insert an alternative to traditional lights into the market using a living material that is not dependent on electricity. One of the challenges we expect to overcome is the cost of production and the lifespan of the light.

Mentoring notes

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