Scatterings
Controlling Gas Flow with Light
A "smart" membrane, developed by graduate student Eric Glowacki and his advisor Kenneth Marshall at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, blocks gas when illuminated by ultraviolet light, but permits gas to flow when lit by purple light.
Gas-permeable membrane can be switched using different colors of light. One of the inventors, Eric Glowacki, holds the membrane.
The gas-permeability of a "smart" membrane can be changed, reversibly, by shining light on it. The membrane, developed by graduate student Eric Glowacki and his advisor Kenneth Marshall at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, blocks gas when illuminated by ultraviolet light, but permits gas to flow when lit by purple light (Proc. SPIE 7775, 77750G). This is the first membrane in which light controls gas permeability.
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