What do all these products have in common? The materials they are made of typically contain special nanostructures called ‘hetero-aggregates’, consisting of two or more types of nanoparticles mixed together. Nowadays, these unique materials are crucial components in batteries, solar panels, medicines, and many other products that we rely on. Hetero-aggregates are created when two or more different types of nanoparticles interact with each other on a microscopic scale, creating new, synergistic properties that wouldn’t be possible with just one type alone. However, producing these useful interactions isn’t easy.

Alternating current power systems rely on rotating electric machines, such as generators and motors, whose rotational speed form the power system frequency. The consumption of electric energy, and the generation of renewable energy, are subject to fluctuations, leading to variations in the power system frequency. To cope with this variability, electrical energy needs to be stored – for example in batteries. However, some energy will be wasted in the conversion from electrical alternating current to direct current energy, and from electrical direct current energy to chemical energy. This necessary energy conversion also increases the complexity of the power system.

Brillouin microscopy is a revolutionary imaging technology that offers detailed insights into the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. The technology relies on Brillouin light scattering. When light interacts with a material, it scatters in a way that depends on the material’s mechanical properties. This scattering causes a shift in the frequency of the light, which scientists can measure to determine stiffness and viscosity. This non-invasive technique allows living tissues to be studied in great detail without needing to use chemical labels or physical contact. The field of Brillouin microscopy has seen significant advancements over the past two decades, primarily driven by the development of high-resolution optical spectrometers.

Before they can replace fossil fuels entirely, wind and solar power plants will need to provide electricity to the grid at all times of the day, and in unpredictable weather conditions. To ensure a consistent output, renewable sources can be coupled with energy-storing batteries. Ideally, these batteries can be charged up when excess energy is generated, and then release their energy when the grid’s demand for power outpaces its supply. However, even the most well-designed battery systems only have a limited storage capacity. If this limit is exceeded, any excess energy will simply be wasted. One possible solution to this problem is to combine electrical batteries with chemical energy storage.

Ice can cause serious damage to vehicles and infrastructure, including aircraft, pavements, power lines, and wind turbines. It is important to remove ice before it causes damage, but doing this manually is often expensive and energy-intensive, and sometimes even dangerous. Researchers have begun to develop so-called ‘super-hydrophobic’ coatings, which can repel incoming water droplets before they freeze. This not only prevents ice from building up; it also weakens the adhesion of ice that does freeze to the surface, allowing it be removed more easily.