Correlation-enhanced neural networks as interpretable variational quantum states

Variational methods have proven to be excellent tools to approximate the ground states of complex many-body Hamiltonians. Generic tools such as neural networks are extremely powerful, but their parameters are not necessarily physically motivated. Thus, an efficient parametrization of the wave function can become challenging. In this Letter we...

Scalable Hamiltonian learning for large-scale out-of-equilibrium quantum dynamics

Large-scale quantum devices provide insights beyond the reach of classical simulations. However, for a reliable and verifiable quantum simulation, the building blocks of the quantum device require exquisite benchmarking. This benchmarking of large-scale dynamical quantum systems represents a major challenge due to lack of efficient tools for...

Electronic Effects Determine the Selectivity of Planar Au-Cu Bimetallic Thin Films for Electrochemical CO ₂ Reduction

Au-Cu bimetallic thin films with controlled composition were fabricated by magnetron sputtering co-deposition, and their performance for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO ₂ was investigated. The uniform planar morphology served as a platform to evaluate the electronic effect isolated from morphological effects while minimizing...

Suppressing H ₂ Evolution and Promoting Selective CO ₂ Electroreduction to CO at Low Overpotentials by Alloying Au with Pd

CO ₂ electroreduction is a promising technology to produce chemicals and fuels from renewable resources. Polycrystalline and nanostructured metals have been tested extensively while less effort has been spent on understanding the performance of bimetallic alloys. In this work, we study compositionally variant, smooth Au-Pd thin...

Spark-Discharge as a Nanoparticle Source to Study Size-Dependent Plasmonic Properties for Photo-electrochemical Water Splitting

This work exploits the ability of the spark discharge particle generator (SDG) to produce metallic nanoparticles (NPs) with control over the size, shape and composition, to unravel the plasmonic mechanisms by which NPs can enhance the photoelectrochemical performance of semiconductor photoanodes. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the SDG and the...

Can disc diffusion susceptibility tests assess the antimicrobial activity of engineered nanoparticles?

The use of disc diffusion susceptibility tests to determine the antibacterial activity of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) is questionable because their low diffusivity practically prevents them from penetrating through the culture media. In this study, we investigate the ability of such a test, namely the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test, to...

Hot Carrier Generation and Extraction of Plasmonic Alloy Nanoparticles

The conversion of light to electrical and chemical energy has the potential to provide meaningful advances to many aspects of daily life, including the production of energy, water purification, and optical sensing. Recently, plasmonic nanoparticles (PNPs) have been increasingly used in artificial photosynthesis (e.g., water splitting) devices...

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ on compositionally variant Au-Pt bimetallic thin films

The electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ on Au-Pt bimetallic catalysts with different compositions was evaluated, offering a platform for uncovering the correlation between the catalytic activity and the surface composition of bimetallic electrocatalysts. The Au-Pt alloy films were synthesized by a magnetron sputtering co-deposition...

Plasmonic nanoparticle-semiconductor composites for efficient solar water splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology that uses light absorbing semiconductors to convert solar energy directly into a chemical fuel (i.e., hydrogen). PEC water splitting has the potential to become a key technology in achieving a sustainable society, if high solar to fuel energy conversion efficiencies are...

Nanoparticle emissions from traditional pottery manufacturing

Traditional pottery manufacturing involves firing of the ceramics in kilns, a process that leads to high concentrations of airborne particles that are harmful to human health. In order to assess the associated exposure levels and the involved risks, here, for the first time, we investigate the size, the concentration and the elemental...

Positioning Pd catalyst particles for carbon nanotube growth using charge patterns created with a scanning electron microscope

Positioning of charged nanoparticles with the help of charge patterns in an insulator substrate is a known method. However, the creation of charge patterns with a scanning electron microscope for this is relatively new. Here a scanning electron microscope is used for the creation of localized charge patterns in an insulator, while a glowing wire...