Unlocking the “Smart” Tech Potential of Metal Nanocrystals with Kristen Fichthorn

Metal nanocrystals have the potential to revolutionize established technologies, such as catalysis, as well as emerging technologies, such as triboelectric nanogenerators, and a host of upcoming “smart” technologies, such as wearable devices and e-skin. There is ample evidence that the efficacy of a nanocrystal is sensitive to its shape, and theory can be beneficial in unraveling the many complex factors that can contribute to shape selectivity in solution-phase syntheses. At the 2025 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit, Kristen Fichthorn from The Pennsylvania State University joins MRS TV to discuss her Symposium X presentation on the applications of metal nanocrystals.

 

Symposium SU03: Sustainable Batteries—Recycling and Utilizing Earth-Abundant Materials

Talia Thomas, Georgia Institute of Technology

Unlocking the Potential of Carbonized Lignin for Sustainable Battery Anodes—Coupling Life Cycle and Economic Assessments with Technical Advancements”

Written by Farzana Alam

Talia Thomas and Quyen Tran have conducted research demonstrating that carbonized lignin, a renewable byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, offers a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to synthetic graphite for battery anodes. Extracted from Kraft black liquor using acid precipitation and filtration, lignin can be carbonized at approximately 1400°C in just 10 hours—significantly faster and less energy-intensive than the multi-week, 3000°C process required for synthetic graphite. This method, which utilizes forest-derived waste and integrates into the existing Kraft cycle, produces hard carbon through high-temperature pyrolysis followed by powder milling. The use of iron as a graphitization catalyst further improves the material’s structure, enhancing lithium and sodium-ion storage capabilities.

Through life cycle and technoeconomic assessments, Thomas and Tran found that carbonized lignin production reduces energy consumption by 36% and non-biogenic CO₂ emissions by up to 60% compared to synthetic graphite. Although initial efficiency and structural disorder present performance limitations, catalyst-assisted processing continues to improve outcomes. With abundant lignin resources, especially in US forested regions such as Georgia, their research supports carbonized lignin as a scalable, resilient, low-carbon solution for the next-generation battery supply chain.

Non-invasive Health Diagnostics through Advances in Materials with Hossam Haick

Hossam Haick from the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology and recipient of the 2025 MRS Impact Award, stops by the MRS TV studio to discuss how advances in materials have led to breakthroughs in non-invasive health diagnostic tools.

 

Symposium QT01: Development of 2D Quantum Materials Pipelines (2D-QMaPs)

Yee Sin Ang, Singapore University of Technology and Design

Computation Design of Sustainable 2D Layered Semiconductors, Interfaces and Devices

Written by Kwon-Teen Chen

Yee Sin Ang from the Singapore University of Technology and Design presented his research on two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, which uses computer simulations as a powerful predictive tool to unlock the potential of 2D materials for next-generation computing technology. He first highlighted his research on the computational design of MoSi₂N₄ and WSi₂N₄ monolayers and their contact interfaces for future transistor technologies. These materials exhibit unique physical properties that make them promising candidates to succeed conventional silicon. He also developed a material screening workflow that evaluates not only performance and functionality but also sustainability. For him, prioritizing low-risk, earth-abundant elements is essential to ensure that future technologies are built with long-term environmental responsibility in mind.

Symposium EN01: Lithium-Ion Batteries and Beyond

Erik D. Spoerke, US Department of Energy Office of Electricity

Tackling Today’s Challenges to Enable Tomorrow’s Successes

Written by Md Afzalur Rab

In his presentation, Erik D. Spoerke from the US Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity discussed the transformative role of long-duration energy storage (LDES) in the future energy landscape. While technologies like pumped hydro and lithium-ion batteries have proven the viability of grid-scale storage, Spoerke said that they are no longer sufficient to meet the growing and evolving demands of a decarbonizing global grid. The current state of research shows promise but remains in early stages for many emerging technologies.

A key limitation in existing energy storage systems is their dependence on rare or environmentally harmful materials. Lithium-ion batteries, while mature, face scalability and sustainability issues. Spoerke pointed to the need for earth-abundant and cost-effective alternatives like sodium-ion and other emerging battery chemistries. To advance these, researchers must overcome technical challenges related to battery lifetime, safety, and efficiency through targeted material and structural innovations.

To accelerate development, Spoerke emphasized the value of collaborative frameworks. The US Department of Energy is actively fostering partnerships among national laboratories, universities, and private industry to streamline innovation. These collaborations ensure research is aligned with real-world needs, encourages shared infrastructure, and accelerates the path from lab to market for promising LDES technologies.

The benefits of these efforts are far-reaching. Advanced LDES technologies will enable more reliable integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind by providing backup power during outages or demand surges. They will also help lower energy costs over time, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support energy access in remote or underserved regions.

Looking ahead, the future of energy research should be guided by sustainability, cost-efficiency, and global accessibility. Research must also consider scalable manufacturing processes and environmentally responsible materials sourcing. Integrating benchmarks and protocols will be critical to gain public trust and acceptance for these newer technologies.

Spoerke’s vision for LDES includes a diverse portfolio of emerging storage solutions that support a more flexible and resilient grid. Through sustained collaboration and innovation, the energy sector can transition away from lithium-dependence and toward a more sustainable, globally adaptable energy future.

Mitigating Fibrous Capsule Formation for Implanted Biomaterials with Jingjing Wu

MRS TV sits down with Jingjing Wu from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recipient of the 2025 MRS Postdoctoral Award, as she explains flaws in mitigation techniques for fibrous capsule formation, and how adhesive implant-tissue interfaces have proven to be more effective.

 

Symposium EL14: Flexible and Stretchable Optoelectronics and Circuits for Emerging Wearable Electronics

Kyunghoon Lee, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology

Ultrahigh-Definition Double-Layer Transfer Priting for Highly Efficient Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes

Written by Kwon-Teen Chen

Kyunghoon Lee from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology presented his work in finding new ways to print quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLED). The current process to deposit the QLEDs are complicated, have cross contamination, and some limitations in the technology being used. Lee proposed a double layer transfer print where the fabricated devices would be double layered and transferred to the device they were meant to be on. This allows for, in his words, improved performance and efficiency. The devices ended up having a 2.7 µm thickness and over 20000 pixels/inch. Because the process was relatively simple, the researchers were able to have a high resolution with lower failure than other methods.

Symposium EL06: Novel Perovskite Semiconductors and Optoelectronics

Benjamin Gallant, University of Birmingham

In Situ Atomic-Level Tracking of Thermal Transformations in Multi-Dimensional Halide Perovskites

Written by Md Afzalur Rab

Benjamin Gallant investigated the thermal stability and ion dynamics of metal halide perovskites across different structural dimensions, including 0D, 2D, and mixed 2D-3D systems. These materials are widely used in applications such as light-emitting diodes, scintillators for x-ray imaging, and high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. Despite their popularity, how these materials behave under thermal stress during device fabrication is not well understood. To explore this, Gallant used a combination of in situ variable temperature solid-state NMR (VT-NMR) and x-ray diffraction (VT-XRD). These techniques allowed real-time monitoring of structural and chemical changes at temperatures up to 500°C. The study found that several low-dimensional perovskites degrade at relatively low temperatures, below 250°C. There were also clear differences in how various perovskite structures undergo halide and ion migration.

In his poster presentation, Gallant highlighted that this ion migration behavior is crucial for thin-film devices where 1D and 2D perovskites are often used to stabilize 3D structures. Through VT-NMR, isotopes like ¹³³Cs, ²⁰⁷Pb, and ⁸⁷Rb were shown to be effective in detecting changes in ion mobility. Notably, NMR linewidths decreased by three orders of magnitude at higher temperatures, indicating increased ion mobility. The study also uncovered trace secondary phases that standard techniques like conventional XRD could not detect. These findings suggest that perovskite composition plays a significant role in halide migration and overall thermal behavior. Although the study did not introduce a new material, it brought novel insights into existing systems. The research offers valuable guidelines for improving the thermal and operational stability of perovskite-based devices. It also highlights the power of temperature-dependent NMR as a sensitive characterization tool. Overall, the findings are expected to influence future perovskite research and device engineering.

Symposium QT01: Development of 2D Quantum Materials Pipelines (2D-QMaPs)

Louis Gaudreau, National Research Council Canada

Valley-Spin Polarization in Monolayer WSe₂

Written by Kwon-Teen Chen

Louis Gaudreau from the National Research Council Canada spoke about the challenges with different monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for quantum circuits. He found that when fabricating, AFM brooming improved the electrical properties of devices. During the tests, Gaudreau found that hole current through WSe2 is spin polarized if confined in 1D channels. When magnetic field was applied to the one-dimensional channels in the monolayer, the conductance steps would become e²/h which was half of the step without a magnetic field. One of the issues Gaudreau was having was his yield has been very low and the process of making the devices is very slow and painful. He has also found that he can control his gated incidental quantum dots.

SB02.02/EL14.02: Joint Session: Innovations in Stretchable and Flexible Electronics for Wearable Integration

Zhenan Bao, Stanford University

Stretchable Integrated Circuits Based on Intrinsically Stretchable Materials

Written by Kwon-Teen Chen

Standard integrated circuits are commonly rigid, but Zhenan Bao and her research group at Stanford University have been researching skin-like, soft electronic circuits. These electronic circuits can perform at high levels, and thin, stretchable integrated circuits are very dense. Her group has done a lot of work to simplify the processing requirements of making integrated circuits. When printing transistor patterns on the stretchable materials, the polymers crosslink because they are photosensitive, which removes the need for a photoresist, reducing the steps needed to create a device. Her group has increased the transistor count/cm² to around 100,000 transistors/cm², with a frequency up to 1.14MHz. Another component her group is looking at is neuromorphic electronic skin. This would allow the transistors to work directly with the brain. Future work in her group is to integrate stretchability, self-healing, and conformability into unified platforms, to advance wearable and implantable electronics.