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Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis

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Dry Observer Dry Observer's picture
Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
"...Previous experiments led by Graham Fleming, a physical chemist holding joint appointments with Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley, pointed to quantum mechanical effects as the key to the ability of green plants, through photosynthesis, to almost instantaneously transfer solar energy from molecules in light harvesting complexes to molecules in electrochemical reaction centers. Now a new collaborative team that includes Fleming have identified entanglement as a natural feature of these quantum effects. When two quantum-sized particles, for example a pair of electrons, are “entangled,” any change to one will be instantly reflected in the other, no matter how far apart they might be. Though physically separated, the two particles act as a single entity." Oh, go ahead and read the article already. A nice summary of how a single quantum "calculation" can be used consistently to solve a single problem, even in a "messy" environment... http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2010/05/10/untangling-quantum-...

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Dry Observer Dry Observer's picture
Re: Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
You might also be interested in "Quantum Physics Lies at the Core of Life," which covers a couple other areas where quantum effects have shown up in biological processes. For example, experiments suggesting "birds can detect changes to the spin of an electron — sort of like the spin of a tether ball — as its gets pushed around by a magnetic field. Birds, it seems, might be using a deeply quantum property of the tiny particles within their molecules as a built-in compass." Then again, perhaps they're simply Exsurgents... =) http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Quantum-physics-lies-at-co...

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Friend Computer Friend Computer's picture
Re: Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
Quantum ALL the things!
[img]http://boxall.no-ip.org/img/titan_userbar.jpg[/img] [img]http://boxall.no-ip.org/img/pro_userbar.jpg[/img] The Computer wants you to be happy. Happiness is mandatory. Failure to be happy is treason. Treason is punishable by death.
Prophet710 Prophet710's picture
Re: Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
I think we're throwing around way too much Quantum here. Go easy on the Qubits please.
"And yet, across the gulf of space, minds immeasurably superior to ours regarded this Earth with envious eyes. And slowly, and surely, they drew their plans against us."
Tyrnis Tyrnis's picture
Re: Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
We are throwing around way too much quantum. We need to start throwing around more sonic if we really want to get anywhere.
Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture
Re: Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
If you think there is too much quantum around, just stare hard at it. The wavefunction will collapse from embarrassment.
Extropian
Decivre Decivre's picture
Re: Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
Arenamontanus wrote:
If you think there is too much quantum around, just stare hard at it. The wavefunction will collapse from embarrassment.
That's just proof that the most abundant jerks in all of the universe are particles themselves. When we want to see them acting like a wave, they'll flip us the bird and refuse everytime.
Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]
Anarhista Anarhista's picture
Re: Quantum Entanglement Used to Optimize Natural Photosynthesis
Power is in the Eye of the Beholder! Oh wait, that DnD ;)
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.