Link: BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Diatom nanostructures bend light.
Simple marine algae called diatoms have evolved intricate structures that allow them to manipulate light. Visible light is strongly diffracted when it passes through tiny holes in their silica-based cell walls, scientists say. Understanding the physical principles that allow diatoms to trap solar energy more efficiently may also help develop new synthetic replicas.
A team led by Professor Peter Vukusic (University of Exeter) discovered that the diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii has a complex structure of large and small holes which strongly diffract light. It is believed that this may spread light more evenly throughout the diatom, improving on efficiency of photosynthesis.
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