Advances in Functional Nanomaterials Science

Abstract

Technologies employing nanomaterials, such as electronics, optoelectronics, nanobiotechnologies, quantum optics, and nanophotonics, are perceived as the key drivers of investigations on novel and functional materials and their nanostructures for various applications. It is well understood that the study of such materials and structures has been of great importance for the optimization and development of electrical and optical devices. From such devices, one does not only expect higher efficiencies, but also access to the development of completely new concepts, which are strongly demanded by modern information‐processing, quantum, or medical technologies, and sensing applications. In this context, a wide range of aspects such as the physics of novel materials, as well as materials engineering, characterization, and applications are summarized here. Novel materials, which can be used, for instance, for energy harvesting or light generation, as well as for future logic devices; material engineering, which can lead to improved device functionality and performance in optoelectronics; material physics, the study of which allows insight to be gained into optical and electrical properties of nanostructured systems and quantum materials; and technologies/devices, addressing progress on the application side of sophisticated material systems and quantum structures, are highlighted using representative examples.

Self-Assembly of Hausmannite Mn3O4 Triangular Structures on Cocosin Protein Scaffolds for High Energy Density Symmetric Supercapacitor Application

“…Investigation on nanoscale materials has received much interest worldwide owing to their unique structural properties. In-depth interdisciplinary research endeavors led to the fabrication of different potential materials for various applications. , Metals, semiconductors, and oxide materials at the nanometer-sized geometrical forms display desired optical, electrical, and mechanical features suitable for applications such as varistors, solar cells, catalysis, light-emitting diodes, energy devices, and sensors . This demands new synthetic approaches for preparing size- and shape-selective nanostructures with time and cost-effectiveness.…”

Hybrid Hierarchical Heterostructures of Nanoceramic Phosphors as Imaging Agents for Multiplexing and Living Cancer Cells Translocation

“…Recent advances in bioinspired fabrication approaches, which can combine nanomaterials self-assembly, molecular recognition, and soft matter chemistry processes, have led to sustainable methods to produce functional materials with nanometer precision . New synthetic methodologies, focused on the nano scale, have opened the door to new manufacturing processes that allow for accessible, large-scale, and sustainable materials production in terms of energy consumption and environmental footprint, and give rise to complex nanostructures of relevance to catalysis, energy conversion and storage, architecture, communications, or healthcare applications. − New nanoparticles with functional and tunable optical properties are of relevance to the field of diagnostic and therapeutic nanomedicine, − a currently emerging area with great potential to address current challenges related to the diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer . Nanomedicine encompasses the wide range of nanoscale technologies aimed at revolutionizing the basis of disease through early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, i.e., the medical application of nanotechnology ranging from nanomaterials design to nano biosensors and their applications. ,− Molecular-level control for the assembly of functional nanoparticles has recently been used in drug design aiming to facilitate the selective binding of biological materials to inorganic substrates. , Additionally, new methods of early detection and non-invasive post-diagnosis monitoring of cancer are in great demand as they can improve the survival rate, − and it is here where nanomedicine and, particularly, its application to biomedical imaging, can become an essential tool: new near-infrared (NIR) absorbing and emitting nanoprobes for advances in single- and multiplexing arrays used in biosensing technologies are a holy grail, yet challenges remain regarding their synthesis, batch-to-batch reproducibility, size and shape control, biocompatibility, as well as the bio- and photophysical characterization.…”