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In the monolayer limit, two dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (2H-MX2, with M=Mo, W and X=S, Se) are semiconductors with a sizeable (1-2 eV) and direct electronic bandgap as well as (degenerate) valleys at the K+/K- corners of the Brillouin zone. Beyond their use as classical semiconductors, this peculiar electronic structure opens new and exciting […] >>

Research on graphene and 2D materials is currently very dynamic, as these materials show high potential for future 2D electronics. Due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and unique electronic structure, 2D materials show radically new proximity effects when they are combined into multilayers. Very recently, the first 2D ferromagnets have been discovered. This opens important […] >>

The in situ characterization of battery materials is needed to help designing safer and more efficient electrochemical devices. In particular, following in real-time the lithiation and ageing mechanisms require to use advanced non-destructive tools capable to probe the system during cycling. In this regard, synchrotron and neutron techniques provide unique capabilities to access the chemical, […] >>

Our main interest is to understand the mechanism of organic reactions using computer modelling with quantum chemistry approaches. Indeed catalysts involving ecofriendly metal ions such as Fe have been shown to promote new and promising nitrogen or carbene group transfers into organic molecules in one strike. But the mechanism is not fully understood whereas improvements […] >>

With its tuneable chemical reactivity, cysteine plays crucial roles as Ni ligands in active sites of redox Ni enzymes. Instead, histidines are preferred to coordinate Ni(II) ions in non-redox proteins. Interestingly, cysteine exhibits extreme patterns of conservation, being either highly conserved or completely degenerated, with a strong tendency to form buried cysteine clusters. The case […] >>