The researchers suspect that protons as well as electrons are undergoing quantum tunnelling, that is, hydrogen itself is quantum tunnelling.

ECONOMIST: Biochemistry

The sensors rely on quantum tunnelling, in which electrons take journeys that would not be allowed by the laws of classical physics, as long as the distances involved are tiny.

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The work suggests that the motion needed is relatively short-ranged, although other researchers are also looking at whether long-range movement that extends throughout the enzyme plays a role in catalysis through quantum tunnelling.

ECONOMIST: Biochemistry: Evolving enzymes | The

This is known as quantum tunnelling.

ECONOMIST: Microrefrigeration

But Dr Turin believes that the way smell molecules wiggle and vibrate is responsible - thanks to the quantum effect called tunnelling.

BBC: Perfume chemist