Reactive Plasmonics researchers at King’s were recently recorded as part of the King’s Strategic Vision 2029
The Experimental Biophysics and Nanotechnology Research Group is studying the optical effects in nanostructured materials, in particular, metallic (the so-called plasmonic) nanostructures. This research could impact many areas, including high-speed information processing, high density data storage and high sensitivity bio and chemical sensing.
Recently, the group has started researching the use of plasmonic nanostructures for solar fuels. One of the teams’s projects involves using nanostructures and sunlight to ‘split’ water to create hydrogen, which could then be used as a clean energy source.
The technology could even be used in the future for invisibility cloaking. Dr Francisco Rodríguez Fortuño said: ’It is proving challenging because of technical limitations but perhaps in fifty years we could have this kind of technology.’
Listen to the King’s podcast with Dr Francisco Rodríguez Fortuño, where he talks about using this technology to create cleaner energy sources, the potential to develop invisibility cloaking (as seen in the film Harry Potter) and his experience as a lecturer at King’s.
Watch the King’s Strategic Vision 2029 videos here and below.