A collaboration between Exciton Science, UNSW and CSIRO – has solved one of the fundamental mysteries of chemistry, in turn supplying the data that may positively impact the future designs of solar cells and other next-gen technologies. Scientists led by Timothy Schmidt from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science and UNSW Sydney have succeeded in unravelling the 90-year mystery using a new mathematical algorithm developed by co-author Dr Phill kerby from CSIRO’s Data61.
A particular interest to the scientists was understanding the “spin” of the electrons. All electrons have spin – it is the property that produces magnetism, among other fundamental forces. “What we found was very surprising,” said Professor Schmidt. “The electrons with what’s known as up-spin double-bonded, where those with down-spin single-bonded, and vice versa.