Glowing Trees 發光之樹

Is this our future? 這是人類未來之所繫？

You’re driving down the street at dusk and the streetlights begin to come on – or do they? Something is glowing, but you can’t be sure if it is lights or – could it be – trees? Wait a minute! Is this Earth, or were you transported to another planet when you turned the last corner?

No, this is Earth, and the leaves of the trees are glowing red. As is often the case, this discovery was actually an accident as researchers were trying to create an efficient form of lighting similar to LEDs. They aspired to design something without using phosphor powder, which is toxic to humans and can pollute the environment.

During research in this area, Dr. Yen-Hsun Su of the Research Center for Applied Science, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, implanted gold nanoparticles into the leaves of Bacopa caroliniana, blue waterhyssop. The nanoparticles caused the chlorophyll in the leaves to emit the reddish glow. And as an additional bonus, the leaves will help reduce carbon emissions. Of course, this discovery is just the first step in trees replacing streetlights with the goal of saving energy and protecting the environment. The technology and efficiency need to be improved a great deal; however, Dr. Su is hopeful.

Transport àmove to another place

Aspire to something

Phosphor

Nanoparticleàvery very tiny

Chlorophyll

Emitàsend out

Emission

【Grammar on the go】

As is often the case, this discovery was actually an accident as researchers were trying to create an efficient form of lighting similar to LEDs

l  Just like many other situations

Just like many other situations, this discovery was actually an accident.

l  As it often the case

Billy’s new year’s resolution was to attend a health club every day, but as is often the case, he stopped going by the end of January.

Julie wanted to put her key in a very safe place, but as is often the case, she ended up forgetting where she kept it.

【Chat room】

Dusk 日落後的黃昏

Twilight

Nightfall

日落後接近傍晚的黃昏

Transport 運送、輸送

Water is transported daily from the village down the hill to the military base on the top of the mountain.

每一天水都會從山下的村莊運到山上的軍事基地

These precious paintings need to be transported with special care.

這些珍貴的畫作需要小心的運送

Apire to something 渴望或嚮往

This little girl aspires to a career as a professional tennis player.

這位小女孩嚮往成為一位職業的網球選手

Apire to +verb

Tommy aspires to learn street dance.

Emit散發、發出

Emitted / emitting

The street signs emitted neon light as nights.

街上的(廣告)號誌在夜晚散發出霓虹光

The air-conditioning was emitting a high-pitched noise when it was turned on.

這個空調打開的時候會發出針銳的噪音