3 research outputs found
Tuning the energetics and tailoring the optical properties of silver clusters confined in zeolites
The integration of metal atoms and clusters in well-defined dielectric cavities is a powerful strategy to impart new properties to them that depend on the size and geometry of the confined space as well as on metal-host electrostatic interactions. Here, we unravel the dependence of the electronic properties of metal clusters on space confinement by studying the ionization potential of silver clusters embedded in four different zeolite environments over a range of silver concentrations. Extensive characterization reveals a strong influence of silver loading and host environment on the cluster ionization potential, which is also correlated to the cluster's optical and structural properties. Through fine-tuning of the zeolite host environment, we demonstrate photoluminescence quantum yields approaching unity. This work extends our understanding of structure property relationships of small metal clusters and applies this understanding to develop highly photoluminescent materials with potential applications in optoelectronics and bioimaging
A multidisciplinary perspective on COVID-19 exit strategies
Lockdowns and associated measures imposed in response to the COVID-19 crisis inflict severe
damage to society. Across the globe, scientists and policymakers study ways to lift measures
while maintaining control of virus spread in circumstances that continuously change due to the
evolution of new variants and increasing vaccination coverage. In this process, it has become
clear that finding and analysing exit strategies, which are a key aspect of pandemic mitigation in
all consecutive waves of infection, is not solely a matter of epidemiological modeling but has
many different dimensions that need to be balanced and therefore requires input from many
different disciplines. Here, we document an attempt to investigate exit strategies from a
multidisciplinary perspective through the Science versus Corona project in the Netherlands. In
this project, scientists and laypeople were challenged to submit (components of) exit strategies.
A selection of these were implemented in a formal model, and we have evaluated the scenarios
from a multidisciplinary perspective, utilizing expertise in epidemiology, economics,
psychology, law, mathematics, and history. We argue for the integration of multidisciplinary
perspectives on COVID-19 and more generally in pandemic mitigation, highlight open
challenges, and present an agenda for further research into exit strategies and their assessmen