Researchers develop process for light activated catalysis

December 20, 2012 |

In Texas, researchers at Rice University are turning light into heat at the point of need, on the nanoscale, to trigger biochemical reactions remotely on demand.  The Rice project led by postdoctoral fellow Matthew Blankschien and graduate student Lori Pretzer combines enzymes from thermophiles  with plasmonic gold nanoparticles that heat up when exposed to near-infrared light.

That activates the enzymes, which are then able to carry out their functions.  This effectively allows chemical processes to happen at lower temperatures. Because heating occurs only where needed.  The technique holds great potential for industrial processes that now require heat or benefit from remote triggering with light.

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