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Plants use quantum mechanics to efficiently capture and transfer solar energy, which opens up new prospects for the development of renewable technologies.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, providing themselves with life. One of the most important stages of this process is the transfer of energy, which occurs almost instantaneously and without significant losses. Research conducted by the Department of Dynamic Spectroscopy at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has shown that quantum mechanical effects play a crucial role in this mechanism.
One of the key features of quantum photosynthesis is the superposition of excited states of chlorophyll molecules, which allows energy to be in multiple places at the same time, increasing the efficiency of its transport. This phenomenon is difficult to explain within the framework of classical physics, so its study opens up new horizons for the creation of artificial photosynthetic systems.
The scientists focused on the spectral regions in which chlorophyll absorbs light – in particular, the Q region (yellow-red spectrum) and the B region (blue-green spectrum). It was found that in the Q region, electronic states are in quantum coupling, which allows energy to be transported without loss. Subsequently, the energy is partially dissipated as heat, which is a key mechanism for stabilizing the system.
Applying this knowledge to renewable energy could significantly improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion technologies. Using the principles of quantum energy transport, it is possible to develop new materials for solar panels or even create artificial photosynthesis systems. This opens the way to producing clean electricity with near-perfect efficiency, following the principles that nature has perfected over billions of years.
