[All] Quantum physics at work in photosynthesis (quantum bio-physics-based solar cells?)

[Robert Milligan]

FYI on CBC Radio, "Quirks and Quarks", Sat. February 6, 2010.
http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/archives/09-10/qq-2010-02-06.html (Go here to  
access all the live links below)

Robert



Past Shows

February 6, 2010

Listen to the whole program:  or
Download the whole program

Quantum Pond Scum


When physicists explore the quantum world, they use temperatures close  
to absolute zero to observe the uncanny properties of single  
electrons, or perhaps a small single atom, under the most carefully  
controlled circumstances. When Dr. Greg Scholes investigates quantum  
mechanical phenomena, he looks at green slime. Dr. Scholes is a  
physical chemist at the University of Toronto and he's found that a  
common marine algae uses the properties of quantum mechanics to help  
it suck sunlight. By using something analogous to a quantum computer,  
the photosynthesizing algae is making its solar absorbtion more  
efficient. What surprises Dr. Scholes most is that these quantum  
phenomena can work on such a relatively large scale in such a wet and  
messy environment.

Listen to this segment:
or right click to download

Related Links

Paper in Nature
University of Toronto News Release
Dr. Scholes' web page
CBC News Article
Science News article
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