# DNA as Fiber Optic Cables Microscopic Light Pipes By Michael Plishka | Published 2008-11-19 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microscopic-light-pipes-dna-fiber-optic-cables-solarcell References: [newscientist](http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16029-dna-strands-become-fibre-optic-cables.html) Researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden have developed a way to make self-assembling [fiber optic cables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optical-fiber-system) out of DNA, the very stuff all life is based upon. How did they do it? According to Bo Albinsson, “(They) used a single type of [chromophore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromophore) called YO as their energy mediator. It has a strong affinity for DNA molecules and readily wedges itself between the ‘rungs’ of bases that make up a DNA strand. The result is strands of DNA with YO chromophores along their length, transforming the strands into photonic wires just a few nanometres in diameter and 20 nanometres long. That’s the right scale to function as interconnects in microchips.” Because they’re self-assembling, there’s variation in where the chromophores lie, and so the amount of light conducted by these strands isn’t consistent--yet. Improving on this technology may very well impact [solar cell efficiency](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/siliconphotonics). For that matter, this technology could conceivably be used anywhere you may need light to run a chemical, electrical or physical process. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Self-assembling DNA Fiber Optic Cables:** Opportunity to disrupt the telecommunications industry by creating faster and more efficient fiber optic cables using self-assembling DNA strands. - **YO Chromophore as Energy Mediator:** Disruptive innovation opportunity in the field of renewable energy by using YO chromophore in solar cells to improve efficiency. - **Nanotechnology Interconnects for Microchips:** Potential for disruptive advancements in the semiconductor industry by utilizing self-assembling DNA strands as nanoscale interconnects in microchips. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Telecommunications:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the telecommunications industry through the development of self-assembling DNA fiber optic cables. - **Renewable Energy:** Potential for disruptive innovation in the renewable energy industry by incorporating YO chromophore in solar cells to improve their efficiency. - **Semiconductor:** Disruptive innovation opportunity in the semiconductor industry through the use of self-assembling DNA strands as nanoscale interconnects for microchips. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Intricate Optical Phone Aesthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starry-optical-fiber-technology.md) - [Hollow Core Fiber Innovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hollow-core-fiber.md) - [Bio-Based Patch Cables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lapp.md) - [Hollow-Core Fiber Optic Innovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hollowcore-fiber-optic.md) - [Organic Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lapso.md) - [Living Printable Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-ink.md) - [Innovative 2D Fiber Arrays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiber-array.md) - [Fiber-Integrated Temperature Feedback Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optical-fiber-system.md) - [Color-Displaying Ink Variants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kobe-university.md)