In view of the imminent restrictive regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the European Union, it is necessary to search for less impactful materials for the hydrophobization of surfaces. Polysaccharides, and especially chitosan, are interesting alternative materials because they are easily filmable and modifiable in their functionality, as well as non-toxic and biodegradable.

Energy sustainability and interconnectivity are the two main pillars on which state-of-the-art architecture is based. They call for the realization of energy and smart devices that can be fully integrated into buildings, capable on the one hand of meeting stringent regulatory requirements, and on the other hand of operating under real-world conditions.

Lithium-ion batteries are accompanying the progressive development of society, with relevant applications in everyday life, including consumer electronics, grid levelling, and automotive. Despite their favourable characteristics that enabled their establishment in the market, such as high energy density, superior cycling stability, and lightweight, the rapidly growing automotive sector calls for still higher specific energy and power, increased safety, and lower cost. 

A class of chalcogenide alloys named phase change materials is exploited in non-volatile memories and in neuromorphic devices. These applications rely on a fast reversible transformation between the crystalline and amorphous phases upon Joule heating. The two phases correspond to the two logical states of the memory that are discriminated thanks to their large contrast in electrical conductivity.