Thin UV-blocking films of poly(methyl methacrylate) and CdSe quantum dots (QDs) (CdSe@PMMA) are built up by CdSe-azo initiator through surface-initiated free-radical polymerization. CdSe@PMMA nanocomposite film possesses excellent transparency and ultraviolet (UV)-shielding properties. The average size of CdSe QDs is found to be less than 5 nm and well dispersed in the PMMA matrices without any significant agglomeration by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement. At the same time, excellent fluorescence (FL) spectra of the nanocomposite indicate that the luminescent properties of CdSe QDs remain effective after the polymerization. Such the transparent and luminescence CdSe@PMMA nanocomposite film exhibits prominent UV-absorbing capability and the high optical transparency in the visible-wavelength region, thus make it to be a promising material for the large scale fabrication of diverse optical devices.

Continuous fibre (carbon or glass) composite laminates with an epoxy matrix modified by nanoparticles (nanosilica of 25 nm or nanocarbon of 35 nm) were fabricated using a vacuum assisted resin infusion technique, aided by hot pressing, that produces high performance composites of a fibre fraction over 60 vol%. The presence of nanoparticles enhances fibre-matrix adhesion, the transverse tensile strength, the unidirectional compression strength, and mode I interlaminar fracture toughness. In particular, the GF/EP composites with the conductive nanoparticles allow the in-situ monitoring of damage (e.g. delamination) growth and impact damage assessment using a novel method of electrical resistivity tomography.