Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

About: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia is a facility organization based out in Genoa, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Robot & Humanoid robot. The organization has 4561 authors who have published 14595 publications receiving 437558 citations. The organization is also known as: Italian Institute of Technology & IIT.

Understanding the Plasmon Resonance in Ensembles of Degenerately Doped Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Abstract: Inevitable variations in size and composition within nanocrystal ensembles affect their optical absorbance as revealed by effective medium theory calculations. We critically analyzed the effects of such inhomogeneity and of the surface ligands on the localized surface plasmon resonance absorption of In2O3:Sn and Cu2–xSe nanocrystal dispersions. Modeling the absorbance line shape readily provides valuable and quantitative insight into the structural, electrical, and optical properties of colloidal nanocrystals.

Highly Cyclable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries with a Dual-Type Sulfur Cathode and a Lithiated Si/SiOx Nanosphere Anode.

Abstract: Lithium–sulfur batteries could become an excellent alternative to replace the currently used lithium-ion batteries due to their higher energy density and lower production cost; however, commercialization of lithium–sulfur batteries has so far been limited due to the cyclability problems associated with both the sulfur cathode and the lithium–metal anode. Herein, we demonstrate a highly reliable lithium–sulfur battery showing cycle performance comparable to that of lithium-ion batteries; our design uses a highly reversible dual-type sulfur cathode (solid sulfur electrode and polysulfide catholyte) and a lithiated Si/SiOx nanosphere anode. Our lithium–sulfur cell shows superior battery performance in terms of high specific capacity, excellent charge–discharge efficiency, and remarkable cycle life, delivering a specific capacity of ∼750 mAh g–1 over 500 cycles (85% of the initial capacity). These promising behaviors may arise from a synergistic effect of the enhanced electrochemical performance of the newly ...

The regulation of synaptic function by alpha-synuclein.

Abstract: The cytosolic protein alpha-synuclein is enriched at the pre-synaptic terminals of almost all types of neurons in the central nervous system. alpha-Synuclein overexpression and the expression of three different mutants have been shown to sustain the pathogenesis of selected forms of Parkinson's disease. The localization of the protein and the defects found in knocked out or transgenic animals suggest a role of alpha-synuclein in the regulation of synaptic efficiency. However, the precise function of the protein and the molecular mechanisms of its action are still unclear. At synapses the synaptic vesicle release cycle is a finely tuned process composed of sequential steps that require the interconnected participation of several proteins and cytoskeletal elements. Actin microfilaments are required for the regulation of synaptic vesicle mobilization between different functional pools, for their organization at the active zone and influence the exocytotic process. We recently identified actin as a possible target of alpha-synuclein function. Through its binding to actin and the regulation of actin dynamics, alpha-synuclein could participate in the tuning of the vesicle release process, thereby modulating synaptic function and plasticity.