Professor Xiaodong Chen, Advisory Board Member

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Professor Xiaodong Chen is a Distinguished University Professor at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, where he holds a professorship in Materials Science and Engineering with courtesy appointments in Chemistry and Medicine. His research interests span mechanomaterials science and engineering, flexible electronics technology, sense digitalization, cyber-human interfaces and systems, and carbon-negative technology.

Professor Chen has been inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), earning one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to researchers in the field. Other esteemed awards recognising Prof. Chen’s outstanding scientific contributions include the Singapore President’s Science Award, the Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) Investigatorship and NRF Fellowship, Winner of Falling Walls, the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and Dan Maydan Prize in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. He is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Singapore National Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering Singapore and a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chinese Chemical Society. Prof. Chen also serves on the editorial advisory boards of numerous esteemed international journals, including Advanced Materials, Small, and Nanoscale Horizons. He is the current Editor-in-Chief of ACS Nano, a flagship journal in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being on the Nanoscale Horizons Advisory Board is the opportunity to contribute to the direction of a journal that plays a key role in shaping the future of nanoscience. Additionally, helping to refine the journal’s scope and maintain its high editorial standards is a privilege and a responsibility that I deeply resonate.

3)    Where do you see the nanoscience field in the next 10 years?

In the next decade, nanoscience is poised to drive advancements in medicine, electronics, energy, and sustainability. Progress in nanoscale materials could enable faster computing, more targeted drug delivery, and improved energy storage. Quantum nanotechnology and sustainable nanomaterials are expected to play key roles in addressing global challenges, ensuring nanoscience remains at the forefront of innovation.

See some of Xiaodong Chen’s work here: 

Porous evaporators with special wettability for low-grade heat-driven water desalination

Zhigao Zhu, Ying Xu Yifei Luo, Wei Wang  and Xiaodong Chen 

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 702-726

Serena Cussen, Advisory Board member

University College Dublin

Serena Cussen is an Advisory Board member for Nanoscale Horizons, Nanoscale and Nanoscale Advances, Scientific Editor for Journal of Materials Chemistry A and is Full Professor of Materials Chemistry at University College Dublin. She obtained her BA and PhD degrees in Chemistry from Trinity College Dublin, before carrying out postdoctoral research at University of California Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on the strategic synthesis of functional materials and deepening our understanding of how this impacts properties, particularly for energy storage applications. She is the recipient of the RSC Journal of Materials Chemistry Lectureship (2017) and the RSC Interdisciplinary Prize (2023).

One of the best things about being part of the Nanoscale Horizons Advisory Board family is the chance to support early career researchers working in our field, for example through the excellent Emerging Investigator special issues, and encouraging our community to submit their work to a home for impactful nanoscale science.

2) Where do you see the nanoscience field in the next 10 years?

Advancing our understanding of materials on the nanoscale has the promise to impact across multiple research areas, from understanding biological processes and determining new healthcare treatments to advances in nanocatalysis and energy storage. This is an exciting prospect, as the crossdiscipinarity of the nanoscience field makes it ideally placed to accelerate efforts towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

See some of Serenas’s work here: 

The effect of aliovalent dopants on the structural and transport properties of Li₆La₂BaTa₂O₁₂ garnet Li-ion solid electrolytes

Marco Amores,  Peter J. Baker,  Edmund J. Cussen and Serena A. Cussen 

Mater. Adv., 2024,5, 8826-8835

Zhenhua Wu, Community Board Member

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Dr. Zhenhua Wu is an assistant research scientist at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He early received his Ph.D. degree in 2020 and completed his postdoctoral research in 2023 there. His research interests focus on nanostructured materials and devices including thermoelectric, memristor and nano/micro-fabrication.

As a member of the Nanoscale Horizons Advisory Board, I have a unique opportunity to both observe and contribute to the communication of cutting-edge research in nanoscience. The collaboration with respected colleagues to highlight emerging areas within the field is especially gratifying.

2) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research?

Nanoscale Horizons distinguishes itself by prioritizing original research that showcases novel concepts or approaches – conceptual advancements – rather than focusing solely on technical progress. Transformative original research is the bedrock of technical innovation, and Nanoscale Horizons serves as a crucial platform for sharing and disseminating such impactful, innovative nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Xiaolu Zhuo , Community Board Member

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Xiaolu Zhuo is currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. She received her B.S. degree in physics from Sun Yat-sen University in 2010 and her Ph.D. degree from the Department of Physics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2017. In 2019–2022, she conducted her postdoctoral research at CIC biomaGUNE (Spain) as a Juan de la Cierva fellow. Her research interests include the synthesis of metallic/dielectric nanoparticles and their optical properties and applications

I have been a member of Nanoscale Horizons Community Board for a few years. What I appreciate most is the chance to engage with a dynamic community of researchers and innovators in the field of nanoscience. As an early career researcher, this opportunity allows me to contribute meaningfully by writing editorial pieces and collaborating with international colleagues to curate the Horizons Community Board collection. And I find the peer review process particularly rewarding, as it not only keeps me updated on the latest research but also sharpens my own understanding of the field. Overall, the collaborative atmosphere fosters open dialogue and the exchange of ideas, which I believe is essential for advancing nanoscience. I truly value the connections I have made along the way.

2) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research?

Since the establishment of Nanoscale Horizons—when I was still a PhD student—I’ve been following this journal closely. It’s been a rewarding experience to participate on the Community Board as an early career PI, witnessing its evolution into a well-recognized and impactful journal within the field. Among so many journals in nanoscience, Nanoscale Horizons has truly distinguished itself over the past ten years, and that’s no easy achievement. What I appreciate most are several key aspects that make it a great place for publishing impactful work. The journal’s rapid publication process ensures that findings reach the community quickly. Its wide readership allows innovative research to connect with a diverse audience. Additionally, the focus on interdisciplinary work aligns well with current trends in nanoscience, fostering collaborative advancements. Overall, I believe Nanoscale Horizons is an excellent platform for researchers looking to make a meaningful impact.

See some of Xiaolu Zhuo’s work here: 

Polydopamine-based plasmonic nanocomposites: rational designs and applications

Shengyan Wang,  Yiou Cui,    Tarun Dalani,   King Yin Sit, Xiaolu Zhuo  and  Chun Kit Choi

Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2982-2993

Dennis Christensen, Community Board Member

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Dennis Christensen is a senior researcher at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Dennis received his PhD from DTU in 2017 and was offered a tenure track position at the same university thereafter. He has worked internationally in several locations including University of Basel, Paul Scherrer Institute and Bar-Ilan University. Dennis has received numerous innovation and scientific prizes, incl. 13 young investigator awards and 5 graduate student awards. His research focuses on developing and using magnetic sensors for visualizing internal processes in oxide energy materials.

Perspectives on oxide heterostructures – the curious case of γ-Al₂O₃/SrTiO₃

Dennis Valbjørn Christensen

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 3704-3712