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The exponential growth of photovoltaic (PV) installations is an important and desirable element in the global response to climate change. PV technologies have seen swift and significant changes in the recent few years. From first generation solar cells featuring BSF to the current high efficiency heterojunction – interdigitated back contact solar cells, the PV technology has moved constantly towards higher efficiencies at lower marginal costs.

The development of high-performance accident-tolerant SiC composite cladding is critical for advancing Generation IV nuclear reactor technology. However, theoretical frameworks for the structural design of fiber-braided SiCf/SiC cladding remain underdeveloped, and issues related to gas-tightness—primarily caused by high porosity—have limited the further application of SiCf/SiC cladding. In this study...

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) have emerged as a novel class of functional materials, composed of more than four different metallic elements, typically in near-equal atomic ratios, which leads to unique combinations of properties arising from high configurational entropy. Spinel-structured HEOs in the form of Me_x(Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni)_3-xO₄ (Me = Co, Al, and 0≤x≤1) were synthesized using the Pechini method. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS/XMCD), Mössbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), were used to determine the structural and magnetic properties of the synthesized materials.

Luminescent nanoparticles based on wide bandgap metal oxides offer an alternative to lanthanide phosphors, as they assure the material demand for white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) and down-shifters for solar cells, mainly thanks to their high chemical and thermal stability, low toxicity and low cost of fabrication. We recently reported a simple route to synthesize highly efficient organic-inorganic hybrid material combining ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and PAAH (polyacrylic acid) to be used as white down-converting phosphor [1]. This material turns out to be highly efficient is in terms of high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY = 70 %) and gives white light emission.

Machine learning has been applied in the natural sciences for many years, including in bioinformatics and molecular modeling. However, it is only within the last decade that the rapid development of deep learning, along with the increased availability of data and computational power, has enabled a qualitative leap in the application of these methods. In my presentation, I will showcase selected examples of machine learning techniques developed and applied in our laboratory, illustrating their potential in protein analysis and modeling.

The presence of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) in geothermal process fluids acidifies the environment and accelerates the corrosion of the carbon steel pipes. Under certain conditions, the precipitation of iron carbonate (FeCO₃) corrosion products onto pipeline walls can form a protective layer that significantly reduces further corrosion rates. To accurately predict corrosion rates in these environments, an improved understanding of the protective properties of FeCO₃ layers is required.

In the last decade five main application pathways have been developed in heterogeneous photocatalysis, including: (i) air treatment, (ii) water treatment, (iii) hydrogen evolution, (iv) CO2 photoconversion, and very recently (v) ammonia synthesis. These technologies are at different levels of maturity, from TRL 3-4 for ammonia synthesis and CO2 photoconversion, through TRL 6-7 for hydrogen generation, up to TRL 9 for pollutants degradation.

Neutrons due to their penetrability, non-perturbative nature, isotopic and low-Z elements sensitivity are perfect scattering tool to study variety of systems including interfaces in different environments.

X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs) are among the world's largest ongoing scientific endeavors. They provide intense, ultrashort pulses of coherent X-ray radiation, creating groundbreaking research opportunities [1]. XFEL experiments significantly advance our understanding across various fields, including medicine, pharmacology, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, energy, and electronics.

The instrumented indentation technique is a widely adopted method for assessing mechanical properties such as hardness, elastic modulus, and yield strength. Its ability to continuously measure penetration depth and applied force makes it particularly valuable for in-situ mechanical testing, especially at the nanoscale, enabling multi-purpose evaluations. However, challenges persist in accurately determining...