Low-power laser makes fullerenes light up

March 18, 2010

A low-power laser can initiate the uncoiling of biocompatible fullerenes (special forms of carbon molecules), rapidly releasing the stored energy as light, heat or burning under different conditions, University of Florida researchers have discovered.

This could allow doctors to dose patients with fullerenes, identify the location of cancers, then treat them using low-power lasers, leaving other tissues unharmed. Another application would be to image the locations of tumors or other areas of interest in the body using the fullerenes’ capability to light up.

More info: University of Florida News