Imagine being caught in a dilemma where you have a strong dislike for jellyfish but an immense fascination for lasers. Now, what if I told you that scientists are combining these two seemingly unrelated things to create something extraordinary? Welcome to the intriguing world of jellyfish lasers!
Lasers, which stand for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, have come a long way since their inception. Initially theorized by Einstein in 1917 and first realized by T.H. Maiman in 1960, lasers were once considered “a solution looking for a problem.” Today, they are indispensable in various fields, from barcode scanning and industrial cutting to surgeries and data storage.
Unlike regular light bulbs that emit light chaotically in all directions, lasers produce a highly organized and focused beam of light. This precision is achieved by stimulating specific substances to emit photons in a coherent, monochromatic, and directional manner. Think of a light bulb as a chaotic crowd and a laser as a disciplined marching band.
Different substances produce different wavelengths of light, making lasers versatile tools for various applications. Red lasers, for instance, are used in sensors and CD players and can be created by exciting helium-neon gas. Blue or violet lasers, used in Blu-ray players and medical applications, are made by exciting gallium nitride.
One of the most advanced types of lasers is the polariton laser, which involves exciting atoms in a supercooled Bose-Einstein condensate. These lasers have potential applications in quantum physics and cancer cell tagging but are challenging to produce due to the need for supercooling.
In a groundbreaking development in 2011, scientists discovered a way to create lasers using proteins from jellyfish. By pulsing low-energy light onto lab-grown cells containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the Aequorea victoria jellyfish, they generated a beam of green laser light. These were the first biological lasers.
Building on this discovery, researchers in 2016 enhanced GFP by growing it on E. coli bacteria, creating a brighter version called eGFP. By forming a thin film of eGFP and placing it in a mirrored chamber, they produced a polariton laser at room temperature, eliminating the need for supercooling. The barrel-shaped jellyfish proteins allow photons to align perfectly, making this innovation possible.
While current jellyfish lasers only produce green light, researchers are exploring other glowing proteins, such as those found in coral, which emit red light. This exciting intersection of bioengineering and quantum physics opens up new possibilities for the future of laser technology.
From the mesmerizing glow of jellyfish to the precision of lasers, this scientific journey is nothing short of fascinating. As researchers continue to explore the potential of biological lasers, who knows what other wonders await us in the realm of science?
The fusion of jellyfish proteins and laser technology is a testament to the incredible innovations that can arise from seemingly unrelated fields. As we delve deeper into this captivating science, we are reminded of the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Stay curious and keep exploring the wonders of the natural world!
Research the history and development of laser technology from its theoretical beginnings to modern applications. Prepare a presentation that highlights key milestones and innovations in laser technology. Focus on how these advancements have impacted various industries and everyday life.
Conduct a hands-on experiment to understand the properties of lasers compared to regular light sources. Use simple materials to demonstrate how lasers produce coherent light and discuss the implications of this property in practical applications. Document your findings and share them with your peers.
Analyze the development of biological lasers using jellyfish proteins. Explore the scientific principles behind this innovation and discuss its potential applications. Write a case study report that evaluates the challenges and future prospects of biological lasers in various fields.
Participate in a debate on the ethical considerations of using bioengineering to create technologies like jellyfish lasers. Discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with manipulating biological materials for technological advancements. Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a constructive discussion.
Work in groups to brainstorm and design a hypothetical application of jellyfish lasers in a field of your choice. Create a detailed proposal that outlines the concept, potential benefits, and challenges. Present your project to the class, highlighting the innovative aspects and feasibility of your idea.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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I am in the middle of a huge dilemma. I really don’t like jellyfish; they make me uneasy, but I love lasers… they’re so fascinating! And this new science is creating lasers using jellyfish!?
Hey, photonic reflectors, Trace here for DNews. When lasers were first invented, they were described as “a solution looking for a problem.” In the decades since, we’ve discovered numerous ways to make lasers useful—barcode scanners, industrial cutting, surgeries, pointing at things… you name it! Now, physicists and bioengineers are collaborating to develop new, even more specialized lasers thanks to proteins from jellyfish.
But first, lasers were theorized in 1917 in a paper by Einstein and first accomplished in 1960 by T.H. Maiman. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers produce light, but not like regular light bulbs.
In a regular light bulb, electrons are pushed through a filament, causing them to get excited. This excitement results in the emission of photons of light and heat energy in all directions—it’s chaotic! Lasers, on the other hand, are much more precise. A laser takes the same principle of emitting light, but instead of dispersing in all directions, it produces an organized, tightly packed beam of photons.
This organization requires specific substances to emit their photons in a specific way, resulting in photons that are monochromatic, coherent, and directional. To put it simply, a light bulb is like a running herd of people, while a laser is like a marching army.
Different substances produce different wavelengths of light, and various types of lasers are suited for different applications. Red laser light can be used in sensors, spectrometers, and CD players, and can be created by exciting helium-neon gas or garnet. Blue or violet lasers are used for data storage applications (like in Blu-ray players) and in medical applications, made by exciting gallium nitride.
One of the most advanced types of lasers yet invented is the polariton laser. It’s created by exciting the atoms of a supercooled Bose-Einstein condensate (a unique state of matter) to create half-matter, half-light quasiparticles. It’s quite complex science and not the easiest to achieve. These polariton lasers can be utilized in quantum physics, to tag cancer cells, or to enhance data transfer speeds, but they are challenging to produce due to the need for supercooling.
Now, back to jellyfish. In 2011, scientists pulsed low-energy light onto lab-grown cells containing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the Aequorea victoria jellyfish. By placing them into a mirrored chamber, the cells generated an organized beam of monochromatic photons—green laser light! These were the first biological lasers.
In a new 2016 study, researchers took that GFP and grew it on a bed of E. coli bacteria, creating enhanced GFP (eGFP) that glows much brighter. They created a 500 nanometer-thin film of this eGFP, placed it into a mirrored housing, pulsed it with light, and voilà! A polariton laser for quantum applications at room temperature—no supercooling required!
The reason supercooled lasers were needed initially was to keep the photons from moving around too much; super-cold particles behave more predictably. However, the jellyfish proteins are barrel-shaped, allowing the photons to align perfectly. While it only produces green light, researchers are on the lookout for more glowing proteins—coral, for example, has one that glows red.
From jellyfish to lasers to bioengineering to quantum physics—this is truly fascinating!
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Of course, this new study is based on the fact that the jellyfish had glowing cells in the first place! If you’re curious about why some animals glow, check out this video. And let us know in the comments if this science amazed you, because it certainly amazed me! Please subscribe for more fascinating science.
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Lasers – Devices that emit light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. – Lasers are used in a variety of applications, including cutting materials, medical surgeries, and scientific research.
Jellyfish – Marine animals with a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles, known for their simple body structure and bioluminescence. – Researchers study jellyfish to understand the mechanisms of bioluminescence and its potential applications in medical imaging.
Proteins – Large, complex molecules made up of amino acids that perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalyzing metabolic reactions and DNA replication. – Understanding the structure of proteins is crucial for developing new drugs and therapies in bioengineering.
Photons – Elementary particles that are the quantum of light and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation, carrying energy proportional to the radiation frequency. – In quantum physics, the behavior of photons is studied to develop new technologies like quantum computing.
Biology – The scientific study of life and living organisms, encompassing various fields such as genetics, ecology, and molecular biology. – Advances in biology have led to significant breakthroughs in understanding genetic diseases and developing treatments.
Quantum – Referring to the smallest possible discrete unit of any physical property, often used in the context of quantum mechanics, which studies the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels. – Quantum theory has revolutionized our understanding of atomic and subatomic processes, leading to the development of new technologies.
Evolution – The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. – The theory of evolution provides a framework for understanding the diversity of life on Earth and the mechanisms of natural selection.
Applications – The practical uses of scientific knowledge, especially in technology and engineering, to solve problems or create new products. – The applications of nanotechnology in medicine include targeted drug delivery systems and improved diagnostic tools.
Bioengineering – An interdisciplinary field that applies principles of biology and engineering to create products and technologies that improve health and quality of life. – Bioengineering has led to the development of artificial organs and advanced prosthetics, enhancing patient care.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry, leading to the creation of tools, machines, and systems. – Advances in technology have transformed the way we conduct scientific research, from data analysis to experimental techniques.
