NANO FUTURES

Markus J Buehler

Abstract Multi-agent, multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) frameworks with scientific platforms represent more than an incremental advance—they mark a paradigm shift in computational research methodology, introducing unprecedented capabilities in real-time knowledge synthesis and autonomous scientific discovery. Drawing parallels with biological evolution, where simple compo…

Mohammed Alsawafta

Abstract Metal–semiconductor core–shell nanoparticles provide a versatile platform for combining plasmonic light confinement with semiconductor-mediated charge excitation. In this study, Au@TiO₂ and Ag@TiO₂ nanoparticles are systematically compared using finite-difference time-domain simulations across four metrics: sensing factor (SF), quantifying refractive-index sensitivity;…

Anthony Centeno, Hala J El-Khozondar, Alessandro Alabastri, Xingda An et al.

Abstract Plasmonic nanostructures manipulate light at dimensions much smaller than wavelength, leading to strong electromagnetic field confinement, enhanced light absorption and efficient photocarrier generation. This makes them promising components for future solar energy conversion systems. This Roadmap surveys recent advances and future directions in the application of plasm…

Yuko S Yamamoto, Tamitake Itoh

Abstract Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful technique that significantly enhances Raman spectroscopy sensitivity. The electromagnetic (EM) mechanism is widely regarded as a key contributor to this enhancement. Traditionally, this mechanism has been theoretically and experimentally validated primarily in plasmonic systems dominated by radiant plasmon resonanc…

Tejaswini R L, Aapna Joeshiba, Sathish Marimuthu, Vimukthi Dananjaya et al.

Abstract A comprehensive drift-diffusion simulation study was conducted to optimise ZnSe–TiO ₂ composite photoanodes for bifacial dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) using the SCAPS-1D platform. Key physical and electronic parameters, including photoanode thickness, density of states, defect density, temperature, and contact resistances, were systematically varied to unravel …

Eduardo Gracia-Espino, Thomas Wagberg, Tugce Ustunel, Esdras J Canto-Aguilar et al.

Abstract The roadmap focusses on the current state of the art of three key reactions for sustainable energy transformation, water electrolysis for hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction for electrofuel production, and nitrogen reduction for ammonia production. Each technique is covered in separate chapters as detailed in the outline below. Each chapter is meant to update…

Xin Xu, Zongtao Wang, Chengwei Shan, Xiaowei Xu et al.

Abstract Cathode interfacial layers (CILs) are crucial for improving the performance of organic photodetectors (OPDs). In this work, a bay-position-modified perylene diimide derivative, SePDI3, is employed as an efficient CIL and systematically compared with the conventional CIL material PDINN. SePDI3 exhibits a more pronounced self-doping effect and a stronger capability to mo…

Bozhi Tian, Baoning Sha, Yuanwen Jiang, Aaditya Nandakumar et al.

Abstract Nano-enabled living materials and living electronics represent the next frontier in integrating biology with advanced nanotechnology, offering unprecedented opportunities to design systems with programmable, adaptive, and multifunctional capabilities. By combining living cells or tissues with engineered nanostructures, living materials and electronics create platforms …

Anuj Kumar Singh, Parul Sharma, Kishor Kumar Mandal, Lekshmi Eswaramoorthy et al.

Abstract Single-photon emitters (SPEs) constitute a foundational resource for quantum technologies, including secure communication, photonic quantum computing, and emerging quantum network architectures. A wide range of quantum materials, from atom-like point defects in bulk crystals to excitonic states in low-dimensional semiconductors, now provide bright, coherent, and scalab…

Ping-An Chen, Jing Guo, Hongzhi Ouyang, Zenghui Chen et al.

Abstract The accurate measurement of electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient are crucial for evaluating the thermoelectric performance of organic semiconductors, yet a standardized method is lacking, and measurement artifacts are not well understood. This study investigates the significant influence of film thickness on these measurements, using spray-coated films o…

Ayhan Demircan, Andrey B. Evlyukhin, Uwe Morgner, Oliver Melchert et al.

Abstract As photonic systems grow more complex, it becomes increasingly difficult to capture their behaviour within the conventional four dimensions of space and time, particularly for systems operating at the nanometer scale, where strong confinement effects, near-field interactions, and subwavelength structuring introduce additional layers of complexity. The concept of 5D pho…

Vincenzo Pecunia

Abstract Nano-enabled indoor photovoltaics (IPVs), based on molecular, nano-, and nanostructured absorbers, are emerging as promising energy harvesters for battery-free smart devices and internet-of-things sensor nodes. Despite rapid performance improvements, reliable characterization remains a critical challenge, with device-dependent errors arising from test light sources and…

Heejoon Chae, Dae Joon Kang

Abstract Bioinspired surfaces encode function in micro/nanotopography rather than in complex chemical functionalization, but the critical challenge lies in scalable manufacturing on flexible and curved substrates while ensuring durability and cost control. This Perspective consolidates capillary force lithography, nanoimprint lithography, and electrohydrodynamic lithography (EH…

Sadegh Azizi, Mohammad Bagher Askari

Abstract Metal oxides (MOs) and transition MOs (TMOs) have garnered significant attention as electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their high theoretical capacitance and multiple redox states. Nevertheless, their application is often constrained by low intrinsic electrical conductivity and structural instability during repeated charge-discharge cycles. This review summ…

Chiara Martinelli, Claudio Conci, Manuela Teresa Raimondi

Abstract Tissue engineering stands at the forefront of regenerative medicine, offering innovative solutions to replace, repair, and enhance damaged or lost tissue functions. The key to its success lies in the careful selection of biomaterials. Mechanobiology plays a pivotal role in tissue regeneration, and recent advances have revealed the profound impact of mechanical cues on …

Deming Li, Guo Chen, Yueming Li, Nan Zheng et al.

Abstract Photoacoustic (PA) stimulation is an emerging technology aiming to modulate neuronal activity safely, precisely, and efficiently without genetic modification. Owing to their strong light absorption, easy to process in the composite, nanomaterials have been utilized as PA interfaces developed for high spatial and temporal resolution PA stimulation without thermal damage…

Kathel Dongnang, Claudine M Noussi, Jiaxin Fan, Deniz Gulseren Saygin et al.

Abstract Printed PEDOT:PSS electrodes are widely used in bioelectronics and soft electronic interfaces, where they can be exposed to high voltage and pulsed electrical stimulation. However, the operational limits of conducting polymer electrodes under high electric fields remain poorly defined, particularly across different electrolyte environments and time scales. Here, we pre…

Federico Parenti, Riccardo Sargeni, Elisabetta Dimaggio, Francesco Pieri et al.

Abstract The growing field of conformable and bio-integrated electronics is enabling the development of innovative applications such as wearable sensors, electronic skin, and implantable devices. This evolution requires advanced materials and fabrication strategies capable of delivering electrical functionality without compromising mechanical compliance. In particular, understa…

Gokay Adabasi, Mehmet Z Baykara

Abstract MXenes are an emerging class of materials receiving intense attention from the scientific community, thanks to their favorable combination of physical characteristics such as high conductivity, flexibility, and tunable chemistry. In order for MXenes to be utilized effectively in next-generation applications including but not limited to energy storage, catalysis, electr…

Paige K Summers, Andrew M McDonagh

Abstract Alkyne compounds have emerged as promising stabilising ligands for gold nanoparticles, with potential applications in sensing, catalysis and biological imaging. Several examples of alkynide-stabilised gold nanoparticles have been reported although most use a mixed-ligand system that requires additional stabilising agents. Thus, a facile and size controllable synthesis …