FHSU Chemistry Department to host Scholarly and Creative Activities Day presentation
Dr. Arvin Cruz, assistant professor of chemistry at Fort Hays State University, will host a Scholarly and Creative Activities Day presentation titled "Artificial Dyes Used in Solar Energy Conversion (What's A Carrot Got To Do With It?)" from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, in the Trails Room in the Memorial Union on the FHSU campus.
Current science has tried to tackle the issue of energy consumption in various ways, including solar energy, but conversion of solar energy to useable electricity is only 50-percent effective. One approach to improve the conversion rate is to mimic photosynthesis using the materials derived from beta-carotene, which serves as molecular light-harvesting antennas.
Cruz has worked with three students on this project: Jared Hass, Superior, Neb., junior, Diedre Kramer, Clayton freshman, and Shiloh Wedermyer, Quinter sophomore.
The Scholarly and Creative Activities Day is a day to showcase and celebrate the research done by facutly and students at FHSU.