X-ray medical imaging requires detectors that deliver images at as low as reasonably possible dose. This perspective outlines a universal characterization framework of X-ray imaging detectors, suitab...

Nanocrystals (NCs) of various compositions have made important contributions to science and technology, with their impact recognized by the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and synthesis of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Over four decades of research into NCs has led to numerous advancements in diverse fields, such as optoelectronics, catalysis, energy, medicine, and recently, quantum information and computing. The last 10 years since the predecessor perspective “Prospect of Nanoscience with Nanocrystals” was published in ACS Nano have seen NC research continuously evolve, yielding critical advances in fundamental understanding and practical applications. Mechanistic insights into NC formation have translated into precision control over NC size, shape, and composition. Emerging synthesis techniques have broadened the landscape of compounds obtainable in colloidal NC form. Sophistication in surface chemistry, jointly bolstered by theoretical models and experimental findings, has facilitated refined control over NC properties and represents a trusted gateway to enhanced NC stability and processability. The assembly of NCs into superlattices, along with two-dimensional (2D) photolithography and three-dimensional (3D) printing, has expanded their utility in creating materials with tailored properties. Applications of NCs are also flourishing, consolidating progress in fields targeted early on, such as optoelectronics and catalysis, and extending into areas ranging from quantum technology to phase-change memories. In this perspective, we review the extensive progress in research on NCs over the past decade and highlight key areas where future research may bring further breakthroughs.

Beyond single-photon emission, generating correlated N-photon bundles, e.g., a photon pair, is essential for various quantum technologies including quantum teleportation and metrology. A widely explored approach exploits the radiative biexciton cascade in individual (mainly epitaxially grown) quantum dots (QDs). Here, we investigate such a cascade in colloidal CsPbBr3 QDs, a scalable and solution-processable quantum-light emitter. By matching their size-dependent biexciton binding energies to their size-independent phonon energies, we demonstrate the generation of time-correlated and energy-degenerate photon pairs in large (>15 nm) QDs. Under pulsed excitation at 4 K, we observe pronounced photon bunching, with a g(2)(0) of up to 7 in Hanbury Brown and Twiss measurements. The excitation-density-dependent bunching is quantitatively reproduced by multicolor numerical calculations, suggesting the cascade involving biexciton and phonon-mediated exciton decay as origin of the photon pair. Our findings provide new insights into energy-degenerate photon-pair generation in these highly engineerable quantum-light emitters, marking important steps toward their application in quantum-information technologies.

Critical current density (CCD) measurements are widely used to assess the electrochemical performance of Li metal anodes paired with solid-state electrolytes. Nonetheless, the lack of consensus on the...

The ongoing quest for improved capping ligands for lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) is fueled by the immense potential of these emitters as classical and quantum light sources. Herein, we...

Metal halide scintillator, tetraphenylphosphonium manganese bromide (TPP2MnBr4), provides a significant benefit for fast neutron imaging. A fourfold increase in efficiency over traditional zinc sulfi...

Lead halide perovskite (LHP) quantum dots (QD) are an attractive material for light emissive applications due to their lattice, which is both dynamically disordered and defect tolerant. The developmen...

Semiconductor nanocrystals are widely investigated as tunable quantum emitters due to their composition-, size- and shape-dependent optical properties, and they find applications in various optoelectr...

Surface contamination of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) is a significant challenge that impedes its use as a nonflammable and nontoxic solid-state electrolyte in high energy density, temperature-tolerant Li meta...

Most pixels in cameras detect only red, green or blue light. A sensor made from perovskite materials absorbs all three, improving image brightness and resolution.

According to the recently published QS World University Rankings 2026, ETH Zurich ranks among the world’s ten best universities once again this year. It took the top spot in continental Europe, with o...

Most pixels in cameras detect only red, green or blue light. A sensor made from perovskite materials absorbs all three, improving image brightness and resolution.