This is a giant clam. Covered with a thin layer of light-scattering cells, called iridocytes, they convert incoming sunlight into chemical energy with near-perfect efficiency due to their symbiotic relationship with single-cell algae. While the industrial bioproduction of single-celled algae offers one of the most promising sources of renewable fuels and chemical feedstocks, widespread commercialization has so far been hindered by low light-conversion efficiencies. In a Yale study, researchers created a physical model of a solar-energy transformer with a clam-like geometry. In an idealized case that assumes the algae are evenly distributed around the cylinders, their model initially calculated a solar-conversion efficiency of 42%―much lower than expected from actual observations. Celebrate #LightDay2026 with us and find out more about this research at the link in our bio! #Nature #EnergyEfficiency