Interview with Pietro Castronovo—Winner of the IOCN 2025 Best Oral Presentation Award

We are pleased to share an interview with Mr. Pietro Castronovo, from the University of Palermo, who received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 5th International Online Conference on Nanomaterials (IOCN 2025).

My interest in nanomaterials began during my Master’s, where my thesis focused on the fundamental photophysics of ultrasmall gold nanoclusters. The “molecule-like” behaviour of these clusters, so radically different from the metallic properties of bulk gold, struck me as a clear example of how surprising and rich the nanoscale can be. Over time, I partially “climbed back out” of the nanoscale and into the mesoscale, as my research shifted toward the self-assembly of various classes of nanomaterials into micrometric superstructures with emerging collective properties. I have been captivated by the fact that the behaviour of these assembled systems is often far more complex and fascinating than the simple “sum” of the characteristics of the constituent nanoparticles.

In my current research, I focus on correlating the optical and photonic response of nanocrystal superstructures with their structural characteristics. Establishing systematic structure–property correlations is a hot topic in the field, as it would ultimately provide a general toolkit for the rational, bottom-up design of superstructures with well-defined functionalities. My work tackles this by combining different self-assembly approaches, structural characterisation techniques, and advanced optical measurements with temporal resolution down to the femtosecond timescale. By linking collective optical behaviour to the way nanoparticles organise within the superstructure, we can begin to understand and control both the cross-talk between individual nanocrystals and the emergent properties that do not exist at the single-nanocrystal level. This has potential implications for applications in light emission, sensing, and photonic devices, where ordered architectures with fine-tunable geometries can unlock performance beyond the limits of disordered ensembles.

I first became aware of Nanomaterials early in my career, and its open access format made it a useful resource for keeping up with current trends in nanoscience. Open access plays an important role in ensuring that research is visible and usable beyond the limits of institutional subscriptions, which is especially relevant in a fast-moving, interdisciplinary field such as nanoscience. At the same time, I feel the broader scientific community is still grappling with how to make knowledge freely accessible while keeping publishing sustainable and fair. I believe this balance will continue to evolve, and that open access, done responsibly and ethically, can support a more transparent and connected scientific ecosystem.

Being at the end of my PhD, I am naturally reflecting on the journey so far, and two lessons stand out, which I think could resonate with the experiences and feelings of my peers around the world. First, it is crucial to maintain the enthusiasm that initially drew us to research, and to recognize that setbacks and challenges are integral parts of the process, and should be embraced as opportunities to learn and grow. Second, science is inherently social: communication and collaboration are essential at every level. Within a research group, exchanging ideas and advice should be continuous, and at conferences, sharing progress, receiving criticism, and engaging with peers (at conferences we are all peers, regardless of career stage), creates a unique and inspiring environment. Just like nanocrystal superstructures, the scientific community is more than the sum of its parts!

In receiving this award, I am mindful that its significance lies both in recognizing how the work was presented and in acknowledging the research itself, which was carried out through an international collaborative effort. It highlights not only my contribution as the “voice” presenting our results, but first and foremost the collective effort of all the researchers involved. Beyond personal encouragement, the visibility this award gives to the work creates opportunities for further exchange and collaboration, allowing the ideas and insights from our study to reach a broader community. In this sense, the award feels less like an individual accolade and more like a nod from the community to continue exploring, sharing, and building on these collective achievements. It leaves me humbled, encouraged, and supported.