Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) have developed a new procedure to synthesise conducting nanoparticles from indium tin oxide quickly and easily. Without expensive intermediate steps, crystals 10 to 15 nanometres in size can be produced which are even and regular, do not form lumps and can be easily dispersed in aqueous media. These nanocrystals can be stamped on transparent, flexible or heat-sensitive materials using conventional techniques as invisible electrodes. With the “Single pot microwave synthesis” in ionic fluids patented in the meantime, researchers have also produced other nano-scale particles such as luminescent materials which glow in colour. Chemical companies such as Evonik Degussa are already backing the new method and co-operating closely with the researchers.