Next Gen Notables: Luciform

Hayne and Ferreira, of NunoErin, envision a a bioluminescent coating for concrete made from coelenterazine, a light-emitting marine enzyme. Here are a few key excerpts from their proposal:

What makes it important?
Ever since Joni Mitchell first sang about paving paradise, concrete has held a bad reputation among environmentalists. But these artificial surfaces are necessary for sidewalks, streets, and building facades. We don’t see a need to take sides. The conceptual shift underlying the Luciform project allows us to think beyond simple distinctions between the artificial and the natural, the environmentally damaging and the ecologically beneficial. Through bioluminescent technology, these same artificial surfaces can be fully integrated into a natural environment and will themselves serve as an abundant source of renewable energy.

This project offers a wide range of immediate applications which can be implemented with minimal construction costs. Concrete is used more than any other man-made material in the world. This means that our project can rapidly reach a vast number of people and can be integrated into a variety of structures and environments. We chose to develop a bioluminescent coating rather than a new form of concrete because the raw materials used to make concrete vary according to local availability. Our coating would also build on existing materials and practices. Since concrete has been actively poured, cast, and laid since the time of the Roman Empire, there are endless pre-existing structures ready for conversion through a process that will not require any large-scale reconstruction or reengineering.

Luciform will offer many benefits to the host environment. Most importantly, the naturally luminescent compounds will reduce the need for electrical lighting. When our bioluminescent coating is applied to streets and sidewalks, streetlights will be used less heavily or may be eliminated altogether. When the coating is applied to the exterior of buildings, these structures will make a dramatic impact on the city skyline without the need for energy-dependent exterior lighting. The ambient lighting created by Luciform will also create a pleasurable experience for users. An evening stroll on softly glowing sidewalks would be an engaging experience for pedestrians, inducing them to explore their environment and to spend more time outdoors. A city skyline of buildings haloed in soft natural light would offer a resounding rebuttal to the argument that sustainable living is incompatible with urban realities.

By bridging the artificial and the natural worlds, Luciform will make users more sensitive to the interconnectedness of both spheres. The effect is simple and intuitive, and will thereby engage users to a greater extent than would more esoteric technological processes. Decreasing our reliance on electric lighting also provides a valuable backup system in times of need. In the case of natural disasters, emergencies, or disruptions to the electrical grid, bioluminescent lighting will ensure public safety and will keep shining. Luciform will also provide lighting in remote areas that are difficult to access, such as in mines, subways, tunnels, and other underground locations. Our innovative utilization of bioluminescent compounds will enable concrete structures and surfaces to safely and sustainably manufacture their own light energy. In other words, we can have our paradise and pave it too.

What is your business plan for realizing your proposal?
We began this project by carrying out a general survey of the current research in bioluminescent technology. We read articles and conference proceedings, investigated online, and spoke directly with research scientists. Through this process, we learned that bioluminescent technology has grown exponentially in the last decade and that light-producing enzymes are already being utilized in medical applications for pre-cancer screening. After finding out that bioluminescent novelty items like bubble gum, candy wrappers, and icing have been safely and successfully produced, we are confident that our project is feasible and are even more resolved to bring it to fruition.

The next phase of this project will involve collaborating with leaders in biotechnology and soy-based materials to develop a prototype of Luciform, our bioluminescent coating for concrete. We will work with NanoLight, a biotechnology company specializing in developing applications for light-emitting marine proteins, and Genecor, a leader in industrial biotechnology. NanoLight was chosen for their ability to create bioluminescent enzymes and Genecor for their success in developing and manufacturing industrial biotech products. The third company we will collaborate with is Ecosafe, a leader in soy-based safety products and producer of soy concrete coating.

Our initial research will involve testing concentrations of bioluminescent enzymes and evaluating their light output in soy coatings. After that, we will collaborate with bioluminescent experts to intensify light production and attune the bioluminescent enzymes to circadian rhythms so that they will maximize their light output at night. Biotechnology experts have already determined how to achieve this, which will allow our concrete surfaces to harmonize with the cycle of day and night.