The process of photosynthesis has been intensely studied since its discovery in the late 1720’s.¹ Understanding how plants oxidize water to O₂ is of relevant importance due to its potential use in fuel cell technology. Water splitting cells generate H⁺ and electrons for the fuel cell to use.

The development of radiation-based medical technologies, nuclear energy, and the ambitions of space exploration have greatly increased the incidence of human radiation exposure over the past decades. Given their exceptional radiation attenuating properties, lead-based materials have predominantly been used as the preferred shielding material for personnel and equipment.

Near infrared (NIR) luminescent materials have emerged as a growing field of interest, particularly for biomedical imaging and optics applications¹ including but not limited to transition metal based NIR luminescent pigments.

A significant amount of research has focused on the synthesis, characterization, and properties of 2D and quasi-1D layered materials since graphene’s remarkable discovery in 2004. Specifically, researchers have gravitated towards low-dimensional materials as the most promising way to construct cheaper and faster devices that can improve state-of-the-art silicon-based technology within the electronics industry.

Nearly 40% of the world’s population will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime.¹  The current treatment for such diseases usually includes a combination of invasive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The focus is on chemotherapy as it is the first line treatment in most cases.

Volcanologists strive to forecast the likelihood, magnitude, and style of eruptions. The competition between gas retention and release exert a major control on magma ascent and eruption, but the mechanisms to predict volcanic eruptions remain unresolved. To contribute to this grand challenge, I apply volcano petrology as a forensic discipline to reconstruct the dynamics of magma ascent in the Earth’s interior and the eruption dynamics of active volcanoes.

Energy storage is an essential enabler for future sustainable technologies by linking renewable resources with the power grid. Following the great success of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in the commercial consumer electronics market, the increasing demand for improved energy density, lifetime, and safety in large-scale and power-intensive device applications calls for new materials with novel structures.