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We demonstrate a low-temperature synthesis of ultrasmall (<2 nm) HgTe quantum dots (QDs) with superlative optical properties in the near and shortwave infrared. The tunable cold-injection synthesis produces HgTe QDs ranging from 1.7 to 2.3 nm in diameter, with photoluminescence maxima ranging from 900 to 1180 nm and a full-width at half-maximum of ∼100 nm (∼130 meV). The synthesized quantum dots display high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) ranging from 80 to 95% based on both relative and absolute methods. Furthermore, samples retain their high PLQY (∼60%) in the solid state, allowing for first-of-their-kind photoluminescence imaging and blinking studies of HgTe QDs. The facile synthesis allows for the isolation of small, photostable HgTe quantum dots, which can provide valuable insight into the extremes of quantum confinement. 

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are central in modern life, where they are found in products from smartphones to laptops to electric vehicles. The demand for efficient and sustainable batteries is higher than ever, with the predicted depletion of lithium sources after 2050 [1-3]. As an alternative to LIBs, next-generation fluoride-ion batteries (FIBs) are now being studied since fluorine is more abundant than lithium. While the majority of FIBs reported use solid electrolytes, liquid electrolytes are of interest for room-temperature applications and they are the focus of this article. This article begins by providing a concise background on specific concepts of battery chemistry that can be used as a basis to expand micro/nanotechnology education curricula to include alternative battery technologies. Key points on defining battery components, battery capacity, and redox reactions at play (including differences between redox reactions in LIBs vs FIBs) are presented. A survey on recent developments of liquid electrolytes in FIBs is derived, where three chemical strategies for designing liquid electrolytes for FIB are determined. This analysis of FIB liquid electrolytes studied so far provides a perspective to holistically improve room-temperature FIBs by tailoring the anode, cathode, and electrolyte combination. Ultimately, the survey of literature developed in the article can have an exemplary role in bibliographic research on alternative battery technologies for students in secondary, two-year, or four-year higher education institutions.