Organic spintronics

Nature Materials Vol. 8, No. 9 (September 2009)

Organic semiconductors could one day be used in new types of spintronic devices. This focus revisits the first important steps taken in this relatively young field, and examines the experimental and theoretical challenges that still need to be overcome before realistic devices can be achieved.

Biomaterials

Nature Materials Vol. 8, No. 6 (June 2009)

The biomaterials field is booming, thanks to unprecedented levels of understanding of biological systems and their interfaces with materials. Advances in the lab should make major impacts on patient care soon. We look at the history, current status and future prospects for this dynamic field.

Biomedical and healthcare applications

Nature Materials Vol. 7, No. 10 (October 2008)

We explore the motivations for some physical scientists to move away from their original research field and use their background to contribute to the development of biomedical applications, as well as the reasons why some companies traditionally operating in the consumer electronics sector expand into healthcare.

Nuclear energy

Nature Materials Vol. 7, No. 9 (September 2008)

The steep rise in fossil fuel prices has triggered a revival of interest in nuclear energy. This focus takes a look at where we stand with nuclear technology, and what materials research is needed to realize next-generation nuclear reactors.

China

Nature Materials Vol. 7, No. 8 (August 2008)

Since the opening of the country to the outside world thirty years ago, the output of scientific publications in materials science from China has risen from almost nowhere into now being the third largest in the world. In this special issue of Nature Materials we take a look at this rapid development in China.

Sub-wavelength imaging

Nature Materials Vol. 7, No. 6 (June 2008)

Surface plasmons are collective motions of electrons at the surface of a metal that can strongly amplify local electromagnetic fields. This special issue looks at the exciting possibilities in sub-wavelength imaging and biosensing enabled by surface plasmons.

Polymers

Nature Materials Vol. 7, No. 4 (April 2008)

The polymer industry spends millions of pounds a year producing materials with ideal properties for specific applications; but without a solid understanding of polymer property–structure relationships, perfecting properties is a daunting task. We examine the role of academia–industry collaborations in the theoretical design and understanding of these materials, how such collaborations can improve and shorten development routes to products, and the benefits they can bring to the academic partner.

Produced with support from DuPont

Korea

Nature Materials Vol. 6, No. 10 (October 2007)

Over the past few decades, South Korea has made impressive economic and scientific progress, whilst North Korea remains an insulated nation with many fundamental problems. In this focus issue we take a look at the situation of academic research in South Korea, and highlight attempts to build bridges to North Korea.

Fifth anniversary highlights

Nature Materials Vol. 6, No. 9 (September 2007)

September 2007 marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of Nature Materials. To celebrate, the editors have put together their highlights of influential articles that have appeared since 2002. The topics in the selection reflect the diversity of Nature Materials content. We hope that you will enjoy browsing through the list, and join us in looking forward to an enjoyable and successful future.

High T_c superconductors

Nature Materials Vol. 6, No. 9 (September 2007)

High temperature superconductors (HTS) have entered the third decade since their discovery. In this focus we revisit the excitement following that breakthrough and we review the efforts by materials scientists to improve performances of these complex materials on the way towards commercialization of reliable and energy efficient HTS applications.

Chemistry in Asia

Nature Materials Vol. 6, No. 8 (August 2007)

The massive growth and investment in materials chemistry research in Asia has produced some exciting results. What's next for research in the region?

Universities

Nature Materials Vol. 6, No. 7 (July 2007)

The increasing complexity of teaching and research poses significant challenges for public universities. How do universities deal with issues such as multidisciplinary research or public-private ventures?

Graphene

Nature Materials Vol. 6, No. 3 (March 2007)

Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon. Since it was first isolated in its freestanding form in 2004, it has become a playground for condensed-matter physicists and materials scientists. In this focus issue we review the brief but intense history of this material, as well as recent experimental observations that confirm the unusual and intriguing physical properties of this carbon sheet.

Multiferroics

Nature Materials Vol. 6, No. 1 (January 2007)

Multiferroics, materials that simultaneously show ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity, have recently seen a significant revival based on the discovery of new compounds with a strong multiferroic coupling. In this focus issue of Nature Materials we review the intriguing fundamental physics governing multiferroics as well as - important for applications - recent progress in the growth of multiferroic thin films.