Illustration roses of different colors. AP Photo / Matt Rourke – Matt Rourke / AP / SIPA

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If the boys born in cabbages, electricity will come soon roses . In any case it imagined by researchers at Linköping University (Sweden). By dipping the stems of roses in a polymer solution called Pedot-S for 24 to 48 hours, the energy experts have managed the feat of creating analog and digital electronic circuits at the heart of the plants.

How? The conductive gel was absorbed by the rods before forming conductive son about ten centimeters long in the ducts that channel raw sap, rising from the roots to the leaves. What circulation of electricity in the plant vessels.



Monitor and control plant growth

This technological advance could, according to these researchers Swedish, opening the way to applications in “areas of energy, environment and interaction with plants.”

In their study published in the journal Science Advances , the scientists mentioned including being able to convert the energy from photosynthesis to power, eventually, fuel cells, power, monitor and control plant growth, or even to create “green branches” capable of storing or transform solar energy into electricity.

“Preludes to electrochemical fuel cells”

“Conductors son and electrodes in stems, roots and plant leaves are preludes to electrochemical fuel cells, the charge transport and storage systems that convert the sugar produced by the electricity photosynthesis in vivo, “explains Professor Magnus Beggren in this work soberly entitled Electronic Plants

& gt;. & gt; Read also: An artificial leaf reproduces photosynthesis to create energy

Roses that change color at the touch of an electrical signal

Simply put, the Swedish scientists make a parallel here between the vascular system that connects the roots, stems, leaves, plants and interconnections of integrated electronic circuits.

But in the meantime be able to develop this “flower power” (flower power) and make the roses “bionic” real power sensors, these plants are already today cyborg capable of changing color at the touch of an electrical signal .