Aston's Nanoscience Research Group (NRG) conducts cutting-edge research on materials with the potential for a range of real-world applications and benefits. Materials of particular interest include: Carbon nanotubes, Graphene and 2D materials, Nano-diamond and Zinc oxide, Synthetic fluorescence and laser dyes, Natural pigments and polymer composites. Realising the full potential of such materials is a challenge, yet our ability to develop both hybrid and composite materials as well as conduct surface functionalisation puts us at the forefront of our field. Modifying materials in this way allows them to be integrated them into new optical platforms, with the prospect of dramatic improvements across a range of instruments as a result. These can include ultra-short pulse lasers, biological and gas sensors, and much more.