Alpha tin (α), also known as gray tin, is a particular crystalline phase of ordinary tin which, under appropriate conditions, may exhibit extraordinary electronic properties. For example, the mechanical compression exerted by the lattice of specific substrates stabilizes the electron structure of a topological Dirac semimetal, similar to the one observed in graphene. This unusual quantum phase of matter is characterized by intriguing properties.

Batteries are key elements in the energy transition and the digitalization of society. As energy demand grows for portable devices, mobility, and stationary applications, the need for increasingly diverse technologies—each designed to meet specific needs such as energy density, stability, flexibility, environmental sustainability, and integration into the final application while keeping high safety standards. The design of devices able to meet all these criteria represent a challenge, claiming for the development of new strategies, materials, and combination of materials.

Plastics are essential in daily life but pose significant environmental risks due to slow degradation and pollution, especially in water bodies. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) used in products like automotive parts and electronics, is currently grouped with other plastics that lack dedicated recycling programs. However, upcoming regulatory changes in Europe aim to improve its recycling.

Nanoindentation is a standard technique usually devoted to characterize the mechanical properties of materials. However, the high and localized pressure applied by nanoindentation allows to reach critical condition for phase transition in many materials, thus obtaining metastable phases that often are maintained upon pressure release.

The University of Milano-Bicocca will confer an honorary master degree in Materials Science and Nanotechnology upon Prof. Hiroshi Amano, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 2014.

The conferment ceremony will take place on Monday, April 7th, at 10:00 a.m. in the Aula Magna.

On this occasion, Prof. Hiroshi Amano will give the Lectio Magistralis "Role of New Semiconductor Materials in Realizing Net Zero Carbon and Smart Society".