Ken Hanson has found that the way molecules assemble on material plays a key role in how energy and electrical currents move across the surface, a breakthrough for novel material development. His research was published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry.

“Natural systems like photosynthesis and millions of years of evolution have been able to control the orientation of molecules to make energy and electron transfer very efficient,” Hanson said. “We would love to attain the same level of structural control with human made assemblies.” Hanson seeks to make more efficient solar cells with these findings.

• Kenneth Hanson