Energy Transfer Dynamics in Biomaterial Systems

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The role of quantum coherence in enhancing the efficiency of the initial stages of photosynthesis remains an intriguing question. The understanding and design of functional biomaterials is a significant challenge that has fostered collaboration across biology, materials science, electronics, and other fields. Notable advancements are being made in organic photovoltaics, molecular electronics, and biomimetic research, such as artificial light-harvesting systems inspired by photosynthesis. Materials scientists can benefit from Nature's 3.8 billion-year head start in creating new materials for light-harvesting and electro-optical applications. As many of these innovations delve into the molecular realm, a grasp of nano-structured functional materials requires insights from molecular physics, chemistry, and biology. The fundamental energy and charge transfer processes share similarities with molecular phenomena unveiled by ultrafast optical spectroscopies. Initially designed for small molecular species, these spectroscopies have become essential for monitoring ultrafast dynamics in complex biological and materials systems. The molecular phenomena involved often exhibit intrinsically quantum mechanical characteristics, including tunneling, non-Born-Oppenheimer effects, and quantum-mechanical phase coherence.