Serendipity

``A clue for the source of energy for EZ buildup came after having inadvertently left the experimental chamber on the microscope stage overnight. The EZ size had diminished overnight; but after turning on the microscope lamp to full intensity, the EZ size began to increase, restoring itself within minutes to its former size, ∼300 μm. With preliminary evidence that light could expand the EZ, we investigated systematically whether the energetic source for EZ buildup might indeed be radiant energy.''

Taken from J. Phys. Chem. B 2009, 113, 13953–13958

Prof. Pollack discovered by accident that light provided the energy to separate charges in water at a hydrophilic surface.

Amazing! The maximum is around 3 $\mu$m.