In 2014, Dr. Tan and his team successfully demonstrated bright electroluminescence in new hybrid perovskites (Tan, Z.-K. et al., Nature Nanotechnology 9, 687), thereby opening up possibilities of their application in large-area colour displays and lighting. Their group aims to build on this initial success to achieve high-performance perovskite-based light-emitting diodes and photovoltaics through materials and device engineering as well as fundamental optical and structural investigations. As perovskite semiconductors possess low exciton binding energy, it is necessary to confine electronic charges within quantum dots or charge-wells for efficient exciton formation and radiative recombination. We chemically synthesize luminescent perovskite nanoparticles and nanorods, and work on surface defect passivation to enhance their luminescence yield. They analyse their new nanomaterials using advanced structural techniques such as x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy to investigate their crystallinity and polydispersity. They also use optical spectroscopic techniques to determine luminescence efficiency and spectral characteristics, which could provide clues towards defect density and the extent of exciton confinement. Successes in the development of this new material class could bring real commercial benefits towards the growing large-panel display industry.