Researchers at King’s are studying how light interacts with nanostructures and the future potential of this technology.

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 our 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.

King’s Strategic Vision 2029

At King’s,  research  is core to what we do, what we care about and how we educate our students.

We will make the world a better place through enquiry-driven disciplinary research that not only is high-quality and high-impact but increasingly enables multi and interdisciplinary collaborations which can be readily turned into insights and new solutions for the many and diverse challenges faced around the country and across the globe.

Visit our website  to find out more about our Strategic Vision and to see a collection of videos showcasing some of the ways in which we are already making a difference.