A tale of two approaches: photosynthetic augmentation via nanobionics and solid-state fluorescence

Kotoulas, KT, Burrows, AD, Cave, G ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4167-1332 and Xie, M, 2026. A tale of two approaches: photosynthetic augmentation via nanobionics and solid-state fluorescence. ACS Agricultural Science and Technology. ISSN 2692-1952

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Abstract

Global food demand is projected to rise by nearly 50% by 2050, placing unprecedented pressure on agricultural productivity. Photosynthesis, the biological foundation of crop growth, is intrinsically constrained by its limited utilization of the solar spectrum, as only 43% of incoming solar energy falls within the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) range. This review evaluates two strategies that can be used to overcome these spectral limitations: external light modulation via solid-state fluorescence and internal augmentation through plant nanobionics. Solid-state fluorescence employs luminescent films and greenhouse coatings that convert harmful or underutilized ultraviolet radiation into PAR, enhancing canopy-level light quality. Nanobionics integrates engineered nanomaterials into plant tissues, where they function as artificial antennae that expand absorption spectra and may transfer energy directly to chlorophyll via Fö rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) or direct electron transfer. However, challenges remain in validating FRET in vivo (requiring fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy), understanding nanomaterial environmental fate, and scaling these technologies economically. This review synthesizes current findings, highlights mechanistic uncertainties, and outlines future pathways toward integrating photonic technologies into sustainable agriculture.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	ACS Agricultural Science and Technology
Creators:	Kotoulas, K.T., Burrows, A.D., Cave, G. and Xie, M.
Publisher:	American Chemical Society
Date:	20 January 2026
ISSN:	2692-1952
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1021/acsagscitech.5c00975 DOI 2562712 Other
Rights:	© 2026 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. This publication is licensed under CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Laura Borcherds
Date Added:	23 Jan 2026 17:30
Last Modified:	23 Jan 2026 17:30
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/55120

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