light into

A new study reveals that clams called heart cockles -- so-named because of their heart-shaped shells -- have unique structures in their shells that act like fiber optic cables to convey specific wavelengths of light into the bivalves' tissues.

Computer simulations showed that the size, shape and orientation of the fibers transmit more light into the heart cockles' interior than other possible designs the creatures could have hypothetically come up with.

This process requires a helper compound to convert light into the heat needed to break apart polymer bonds.

The carbon black converted the LED light into heat.

The guides sweep the area with torches, illuminating the arc above us - a network of caves - and then shine the light into the narrow passages below, where a river once carved through the rock.