© 2026 KUNR
Illustration of rolling hills with occasional trees and a radio tower.
Serving Northern Nevada and the Eastern Sierra
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Hawk Fire updates: Evacuation orders and warnings in effect
View evacuation zones on PerimeterMap.com and visit the Watch Duty App for continued updates.
Continue to KUNR’s Hawk Fire coverage

This scientist uses light to perform smarter, cleaner chemistry

NPR | By Ari Daniel
Published August 24, 2026 at 3:13 PM PDT

To create the molecules we need to help us grow food or make fuel, we rely on chemical reactions — and lots of energy. One scientist may have a "brighter" approach, controlling chemistry with light.

Copyright 2026 NPR
Ari Daniel
Ari Daniel is a freelance contributor to NPR's Science desk.
See stories by Ari Daniel