An international team of researchers are the first to demonstrate that a synthesized photochemical molecule composed of linked carotenoid (C), porphyrin (P) and fullerene (F) units can act as a magnetic compass. When excited with light, CPF forms a short-lived charge-separated state with a negative charge on the ball-like fullerene unit and a positive charge on the rod-like carotenoid unit. The lifetime of the charge-separated state before it returns to its lowest energy or ground state is sensitive to the magnitude and direction of a weak magnetic field similar to Earth's.
Full story at:http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111509Accolades:“Looks great, Zina. Congratulations on a good job.”
--Devens GustProfessor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Arizona State University
“I think your bird graphic is fabulous. I wish we could use it on an exhibit or something big to really showcase it. “
--Diane Banegas Public Affairs Officer
National Science Foundation
Also featured in:The A to Z of Opticshttp://azooptics.com/Details.asp?newsID=2453Photonicshttp://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=33738
