Scintillators convert high‐energy radiation into detectable photons and play a crucial role in medical imaging and security applications. The enhancement of scintillator performance through nanophotonics and nanoplasmonics, specifically using the Purcell effect, has shown promise but has so far been limited to ultrathin scintillator films because of the localized nature of this effect. This study introduces a method to expand the application of nanoplasmonic scintillators to the bulk regime. By integrating 100‐nm‐sized plasmonic spheroid and cuboid nanoparticles with perovskite scintillator nanocrystals, nanoplasmonic scintillators are enabled to function effectively within bulk‐scale devices. Power and decay rate enhancements of up to (3.20 ± 0.20) and (4.20 ± 0.31) folds are experimentally demonstrated for plasmonic spheroid and cuboid nanoparticles, respectively, in a 5‐mm thick CsPbBr₃ nanocrystal‐polymer scintillator at RT. Theoretical modeling also predicts similar enhancements of up to (2.26 ± 0.31) and (3.02 ± 0.69) folds for the same nanoparticle shapes and dimensions. Moreover, a (2.07 ± 0.39) fold increase in light yield under ²⁴¹Am γ‐excitation is demonstrated. These findings provide a viable pathway for utilizing nanoplasmonics to enhance bulk scintillator devices, advancing radiation detection technology.

Peripheral substitution of a π‐extended porphyrin with bulky groups produces a curved chromophore with four helical stereogenic units. The curvature and stereochemistry of such porphyrins can be controlled by varying the substituents, coordinated metal ions, and apical ligands. In particular, when the achiral saddle‐shaped free bases are treated with large metal ions, i.e., Cd^IIor Hg^II, the resulting complexes convert to chiral propeller‐like configurations. X‐ray diffraction analyses show that apical coordination of a water molecule is sufficient to induce a notable bowl‐like distortion of the cadmium complex, which however retains its chiral structure. For phenyl‐ and tolyl‐substituted derivatives, the conversion is thermodynamically controlled, whereas complexes bearing bulky 4‐(tert‐butyl)phenyl groups transform into their chiral forms upon heating. In the latter case, the chiral Hg porphyrin was converted into the corresponding free base and other metal complexes without any loss of configurational purity, ultimately providing access to stable, enantiopure porphyrin propellers.

This review article delves into the intriguing phenomenon of low-temperature thermochromism, whereby materials change color in response to temperature variations, with a particular focus on its applications in temperature-sensitive fields like medical storage. By closely examining thermochromic materials, this article highlights their potential to offer innovative solutions for monitoring and preserving thermolabile products that require strict temperature control. This leads to a special emphasis on polydiacetylenes (PDAs), a class of conjugated polymers with unique low-temperature thermochromic properties, positioning them as promising candidates for reliable temperature indicators. This article then explores the underlying mechanisms for fine-tuning the thermochromic behavior of PDAs, particularly discussing recent advancements in PDA design, such as structural alterations of monomers to achieve low-temperature thermochromism. These modifications, influenced by factors like side-chain length, hydrogen-bonding interactions, and the use of copolymers, are intended to result in irreversible color transitions at specific low temperatures, which is crucial to maintaining the integrity of thermally sensitive products. Finally, this article discusses the potential applications of PDAs as thermochromic sensors in tissue biobanking, where their ability to provide visual indications of temperature fluctuations could significantly enhance the monitoring and management of biological samples.

Properties of SrS:Ce and LuPO₄:Eu sintered ceramics are reported for the first time. Both materials were sintered at various temperatures up to 1700°C. SrS:Ce sintered ceramics were found to form a new luminescent center(s) giving emission with maximum around 620 nm or 700 nm for 0.05% Ce and 5% Ce, respectively. This red-infrared band was continuously more potent with increasing sintering temperature and also for higher Ce concentrations both in photo- and radioluminescence. The new luminescent feature was shown to be formed by Ce³⁺ ions with strongly perturbed symmetry compared to the octahedral one offered by the SrS host. After irradiation with X-rays LuPO₄:Eu sintered ceramics produced a long lasting afterglow luminescence which was connected with thermoluminescence around 200°C. The shape of the glow curve bands change with Eu concentration. For Eu content of 0.1% the TL band was quite symmetrical. For 5% of Eu the TL glow band appeared more structured and the 200°C peak was associated with intense components around 150°C and 330°C. The former contributed into more potent afterglow at room temperature. Sintering of SrS:Ce and LuPO₄:Eu induced new luminescent characteristics of both compositions endowing them with new, potentially usable functionalities.

Nuclear energy emerges as a promising and environmentally friendly solution to counter the escalating levels of greenhouse gases resulting from excessive fossil fuel usage. Essential to harnessing this energy are nuclear batteries, devices designed to generate electric power by capturing the energy emitted during nuclear decay, including α or β particles and γ radiation. The allure of nuclear batteries lies in their potential for extended lifespan, high energy density, and adaptability in harsh environments where refueling or battery replacement may not be feasible. In this review, we narrow our focus to nuclear batteries utilizing non-thermal converters such as α- or β-voltaics, as well as those employing scintillation intermediates. Recent advancements in state-of-the-art direct radiation detectors and scintillators based on metal perovskite halides (MPHs) and chalcogenides (MCs) are compared to traditional detectors based on silicon and III-V materials, and scintillators based on inorganic lanthanide crystals. Notable achievements in MPH and MC detectors and scintillators, such as nano-Gy sensitivity, 100 photons/keV light yield, and radiation hardness, are highlighted. Additionally, limitations including energy conversion efficiency, power density, and shelf-life due to radiation damage in detectors and scintillators are discussed. Leveraging novel MPH and MC materials has the potential to propel nuclear batteries from their current size and power limitations to miniaturization, heightened efficiency, and increased power density. Furthermore, exploring niche applications for nuclear batteries beyond wireless sensors, low-power electronics, oil well monitoring, and medical fields presents enticing opportunities for future research and development.

Research is underway to find organic dyes with high photoluminescence quantum yield (QY) and having compatibility with liquid crystals (LCs) that would be suitable for application in LC systems such as light sources, light converters and sensors. An attempt was made to obtain a highly efficient photoluminescent compound in a class of diketofurofuran (DFF) dyes. The new DFF dye has been synthesized and compared with an analogous diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) one with LC properties. The synthesis, crystal structure, and thermal and luminescent properties of the DFF dye as well as characterization of the compound incorporated in liquid crystalline thermofluorochromic and light amplification systems are reported for the first time. It was found that the QY of the studied DFF strongly depends on the matrices in which it was dispersed, reaching a value equal to or greater than 95% in liquid and LC matrices, which is reported for the first time in a DFF class of dyes. Switching of luminescence efficiency by temperature was performed for selected dye-doped thermotropic LC systems. A significant and reversible change of emission intensity and colour upon melting/crystallization below 100 °C was observed. DFF and DPP dyes incorporated into a selected thermotropic LC host were compared with five commercial laser dyes in terms of their performance as thermofluorochromic indicators. Very high contrast between the emission efficiency in nematic and crystal phases and relatively high change of the emission colour make the DFF dye under study one of the best among the studied dyes. This change was attributed to the emerging red-shifted absorption band in the crystalline state and a low Stokes shift. The difference in solubility of the studied DFF and N-methyl substituted DPP dyes, tested in two nematic LC hosts, was attributed to the higher tendency for self-aggregation of the DFF molecules. An Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) signal in cholesteric LC cells with a comparable threshold was found for the studied DFF and DPP dyes.