Light
The scientific team explores all aspects of light and experiments with its fundamentals to discover the most cutting-edge light science on the planet. From plants to jellyfish, and even to the search for criminals on the lam, in the end, nothing hides from the light.
Much of Einstein’s theory of relativity relies on the fact that the speed of light is constant and unchangeable. But what if we could alter this fundamental principle of our universe? Project X’s Dr. Jennifer Gardy visits the lab of a Harvard researcher who won a MacArthur genius grant for her work, showing that it may in fact be possible to slow light down!
Meanwhile, Dr. Brian Fleck and his student Marc Huot explore the role that an in-depth understanding into the basic workings of light can have, particularly in the investigation of crime scenes and forensics. Together, they make use of technology and new tools that will allow us to see the invisible.
And Dr. Brian Alters takes a look at the science behind photosynthesis and one of the great scientific mysteries of our time—how the human eye evolved to process light.
Did You Know?
- Light travels at an astounding 300,000 km per second. It takes 1.28 seconds for light to travel from the earth to the moon.
- The human eye only sees a narrow spectrum of light which radiates at a wavelength from 400 nanometres to 700 nanometres.
- Ultraviolet light is typically found as part of radiation from the Sun. It helps the human body produce Vitamin D - but too much of it can cause sunburn and even skin cancer.
- Humans at normal body temperature can radiate infrared light at a wavelength of 10 microns.
- Green plants use up 90% of the light's energy, converting it into food (for them) and oxygen (for the rest of us).
- Box jellyfish have 24 eyes located on the center of each side of its bell. Sixteen are simply pits of light-sensitive pigment, but one pair in each cluster is surprisingly complex, with a sophisticated lens, retina, iris and cornea.
Further Reading
Hau Lab at Harvard
http://www.seas.harvard.edu/haulab/Researchers now able to stop, restart light
http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/Forensics.ca
http://forensics.ca/phpcode/web/New technology could enhance drivers' night vision
http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/L3 Communications: Infrared Products
http://www.thermal-eye.com/Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
http://www.bms.bc.ca/Built for Blurs: Jellyfish have great eyes that can't focus
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050514/fob2.asp
