Home > News > Algae knew about quantum mechanics 2 bln yrs before humans
February 4th, 2010
Algae knew about quantum mechanics 2 bln yrs before humans
In a new study, a team of chemists from the University of Toronto in Canada have observed quantum mechanics at work in photosynthesis in marine algae, which suggests algae knew about quantum mechanics nearly two billion years before humans.
"There's been a lot of excitement and speculation that nature may be using quantum mechanical practices," said chemistry professor Greg Scholes, lead author of the study.
"Our latest experiments show that normally functioning biological systems have the capacity to use quantum mechanics in order to optimize a process as essential to their survival as photosynthesis," he added.
News and information
New nano approach could cut dose of leading HIV treatment in half February 24th, 2017
Atom-scale oxidation mechanism of nanoparticles helps develop anti-corrosion materials February 24th, 2017
Atomic force imaging used to study nematodes: KFU bionanotechnology lab (head - Dr. Rawil Fakhrullin) has obtained 3-D images of nematodes' cuticles February 23rd, 2017
Particle Works creates range of high performance quantum dots February 23rd, 2017
Strem Chemicals and Dotz Nano Ltd. Sign Distribution Agreement for Graphene Quantum Dots Collaboration February 21st, 2017
'Lossless' metamaterial could boost efficiency of lasers and other light-based devices February 20th, 2017
Material can turn sunlight, heat and movement into electricity -- all at once: Extracting energy from multiple sources could help power wearable technology February 9th, 2017
NREL research pinpoints promise of polycrystalline perovskites February 8th, 2017
The speed limit for intra-chip communications in microprocessors of the future January 23rd, 2017
First experimental proof of a 70 year old physics theory: First observation of magnetic phase transition in 2-D materials, as predicted by the Nobel winner Onsager in 1943 January 6th, 2017
Quantum simulation technique yields topological soliton state in SSH model January 3rd, 2017
Diamonds are technologists' best friends: Researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University have grown needle- and thread-like diamonds and studied their useful properties December 30th, 2016