The reaction between the different compounds in a light stick causes a substantial release of energy.
In such solution, millions of different compounds may be found.
With 400 different compounds to examine, it's an extremely laborious process.
Some structural types are found in many different compounds.
However, as a product from natural origin it is a mixture of many different compounds.
When different compounds are mixed together they can have a chemical reaction.
Many different compounds have been developed for this application, but those in current use fall into two classes.
"I found that tobacco naturally has 2,700 different compounds," he said.
"You start out with this basic ingredient and then extract many different compounds that might be useful."
The different compounds within the community falls within these areas.