UC students explore reactions of crystals that explode in light

Spectrum News highlighted groundbreaking work by chemistry students at the University of Cincinnati to explore the bizarre properties of crystals that react to light.

UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Anna Gudmundsdottir and her students are on the frontiers of discovery in the field of photoexplosive crystals. When exposed to light, the lab-grown crystals exhibit strange properties: They bend, twist, bounce and sometimes explode.

“There are only a few labs in the United States that do photodynamic crystals, which is what we’re mostly working with,” UC doctoral student Fiona Wasson told Spectrum News. “We’re the only ones that are studying azide photodynamic explosive crystals.” 

The research is funded through the National Science Foundation. Gudmundsdottir said the crystals' properties could be used to improve air safety or create new light-powered sensors.

Gudmundsdottir told Spectrum News the research also gives students valuable scientific experience.

“It makes them a lot more employable because they’ve been at the forefront of discovery,” she said.

Watch the Spectrum News story.