Steckl is an Ohio Eminent Scholar in UCs Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He believed that if the electrons mobility could be manipulated, then new properties could be revealed.

In considering materials to introduce to affect the movement of the electrons, Steckl evaluated the source of materials with an eye to supply, especially materials that do not harm the environment.

Biological materials have many technologically important qualities  electronic, optical, structural, magnetic, says Steckl. But certain materials are hard for us to duplicate, such as DNA and proteins. He also wanted a source that was widely available, would not have to be mined, and was not subject to any organization or countrys monopoly. His answer?

Salmon sperm.