Peering into Ultra-fast Molecular World

It’s well known that sunlight fuels plants. But exactly how plants convert photons of light into energy is unknown. Unlocking the mystery could lead to better green energy sources.

The first molecular step in conversion takes less than one-trillionth of a second, far too fast for scientists to see the process. But UNL physicist Martin Centurion has discovered a way to peer into that ultra-fast molecular world. 

"This could help to get a better understanding of how to convert energy light from the sun into chemical energy," said Centurion, who received a $600,000 Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy to support his work. 

When a photon of light hits a molecule, whether on a plant’s leaf or in a human eye, for example, the molecule undergoes structural changes to turn that photon energy into chemical energy. For a plant, that energy becomes fuel for growth and reproduction. Eyesight depends on the converted energy traveling to the brain.

To see a structural change that lasts just one-trillionth of a second, Centurion hits gas molecules with a laser pulse, a source of photon energy, to start the molecular change. The laser also triggers a burst of electrons. When the electrons hit the molecules, they scatter. By analyzing the electron scatter, Centurion can recreate a molecule’s structure at that moment, like taking its picture. 

By lengthening the timing between the laser pulse and the electron snapshot, Centurion can create a movie of the changes occurring in the molecular structure. Being able to see those structural changes will provide insight into the molecule’s function.

Understanding how the molecule converts energy may one day help scientists develop alternative energy sources.

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UNL news release: Centurion CAREER award

Credits

The 2009-2010 Annual Report is published by the
University of Nebraska−Lincoln Office of Research and Economic Development. More information is available
at http://research.unl.edu or contact:

Prem S. Paul
Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development
301 Canfield Administration Building
University of Nebraska−Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0433
(402) 472-3123  •  ppaul2@unl.edu

Writers/Editors:
Vicki Miller, Monica Norby, Ashley Washburn, Elizabeth Banset, Office of Research and Economic Development

Contributing Writers:
Gillian Klucas, Kim Hachiya, Cara Pesek
Some articles are based on earlier stories from University Communications and IANR News Service and written by Kelly Bartling, Troy Fedderson, Sara Gilliam, Sandi Alswager Karstens, Daniel R. Moser, Judy Nelson, Tom Simons,
Steve Smith, Carole Wilbeck

Photography/Illustrations:
Joel Brehm, Brett Hampton, Craig Chandler,
Alan Jackson/Jackson Studios, Greg Nathan,
Bruce Thorson, Robert Cope, Laurence Smith
Historic photos, page 22, courtesy Joyce Clarke Turvey

PDF/Print Design: Sym Labs

Website Design: Joel Brehm