Research Highlights in 2009

Nuclear magnetic resonance reveals the structure of amorphous aluminum oxide.

An oscillating chemical reaction is the driving force for the autonomous viscosity fluctuation of a colloidal polymer microgel.

The depinning probability of magnetic domain walls at notches depends on the wall configuration.

A technique to optically determine the distribution of charges in a pentacene transistor proves to be a powerful tool for the development of organic electronics.

A light-activated complex produces singlet oxygen that effectively kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Magnetic nanoparticles can carry gene therapy agents directly to cancer tumors.

Superparamagnetic nanocrystals are used for producing inks with magnetic field-controllable color.

A new design of polydiacetylene and carbon nanotube nanocomposite fibers can rapidly and reversibly switch color in response to changes in electric current.

A coordination polymer with rotatable and lockable components shows highly selective adsorption of guest molecules.

Functionalized gold nanoparticles enable selective and sensitive detection of metal ions.

Engineered surfactants direct the formation of microporous nanosheets exhibiting superior catalytic lifetimes.

Observations of the interface between hot tungsten and a single carbon nanotube have revealed the nanotube synthesis process — and produced a high-quality heterojunction.

Spherical nanoscale lenses achieve near-field imaging beyond the diffraction limit.

Confined self-assembly produces 100% single-layer graphene in gram quantities.

The electric polarization of a multiferroic material can be rotated by application of a magnetic field at low temperature.

The production of large-area photonic crystals using a standard ink-jet printer offers a cost-efficient solution for optical coatings and photonic devices.

A dash of iridium extends the scope of iron-based superconductors.

A sensor made with a single graphene sheet can detect the presence of proteins and changes in pH.

Contrary to expectations, it has been shown that the structure of a molecule affects the polarity it encounters at an interface between bulk phases.

A novel quantum scheme significantly expands the storage times of optical information.