Volume 1 Issue 4, April 2016

The mechanical performance of hard biological materials is not only governed by their composition and architecture but also by the interfaces they contain. This Review discusses the composition, structure and mechanics of key interfaces within nacre, bone and wood, and their role in deformation and toughness.

Iron-based superconductors display high transition temperatures. The physics behind the unconventional superconductivity of these systems can be investigated by taking into consideration the observed strong electronic correlations and bad-metal behaviour, the nature of their magnetic properties, and the presence of electronic nematicity and of quantum criticalities.

New catalysis materials are required for electrochemical reactions that are vital for clean energy production and environmental remediation. The use of nanostructured materials for improving catalytic reactivity is analysed in this Review in the context of model reactions of O₂ reduction, CO₂ electroreduction and ethanol oxidation.

Post-lithium-ion batteries are reviewed with a focus on their operating principles, advantages and the challenges that they face. The volumetric energy density of each battery is examined using a commercial pouch-cell configuration to evaluate its practical significance and identify appropriate research directions.