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Molecular materials

1%(S)Azo in PCM

A polarized light microscopy view of a mixture of an azobenzene compound and a Phase Change Material. What looks like a stained-glass window or bird feathers is actually the microscopic world of energy storage. Such blends are key to developing "smart" thermal energy storage systems with light-responsive properties.

20% AV2 in PCM

This image reveals the mosaic-like crystalline domains formed within a mixture of Azobenzene and a Phase Change Material. Using polarized light, the geometric boundaries show where different crystal orientations meet during solidification, showcasing the beautiful complexity found in materials science research

Confined Microcrystals

Optical microscopy image of the selective deposition of semiconductor crystals on a chemically modified substrate. The treated regions inhibit crystal growth, while in the transistor channel the semiconductor crystals grow, forming a polycrystalline layer. This contrast between hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties induces a well-defined pattern, relevant for the development of printed electronics, where wettability and capillary forces govern the formation of semiconductor layers.

Cristales en flor

Imagen obtenida con microscopio óptico con luz polarizada que muestra estructuras cristalinas con morfología floral en tonos azules y patrones simétricos formados tras el tratamiento térmico de los films preparados desde disolución.

Hairlike crystals

An organic field-effect transistor fabricated on a silicon/silicon dioxide substrate, featuring gold source and drain electrodes, and a thin film composed of TIPS-pentacene blended with polystyrene (10k), deposited via the Bar-Assisted Meniscus Shearing (BAMS) technique.