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Marine Algae Found to Harness Power of Quantum Mechanics

Original Source: http://www.popsci.com
Author: Jeremy Hsu
Original Publication Date: January 2010

Quantum Algae Action: Light harvesting complexes within algae can take advantage of quantum mechanics University of Toronto/Elisabetta Collini et al

Scientists still struggle to understand and harness the spooky physics of quantum mechanics, but nature may have a head start on us humans. Tiny marine algae apparently use the mysterious phenomenon called superposition — where a particle can be in two places at the same time — to move around solar energy they harvest through the process of photosynthesis.
This astounding find suggests that biological creatures may have adapted quantum mechanics for survival billions of years ago. It also demonstrates that quantum mechanics can prevail over classical physics even at normal temperatures, given that the algae can send energy flowing through several alternate biological paths simultaneously.
“We were astonished to find clear evidence of long-lived quantum mechanical states involved in moving the energy,” said Greg Scholes, a chemist at the University of Toronto and lead author on the research published in this week’s issue of the journal Nature.

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