Reviews & Analysis

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  • Liquid crystal elastomers are shape-morphing materials that demonstrate reversible actuation when exposed to external stimuli, and their actuation depends heavily on the liquid crystal alignment programmed into these materials, using various shape-programming processes. Here, the author reviews current shape-programming methods in relation to the challenges of employing liquid crystal elastomers as soft, shape-memory components in devices in the future.

    • Andraž Rešetič
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • The signal transducing interface between biosamples and detection devices plays a key role in translating electrochemical reactions into output signals and often governs detection limits and biocompatibility of the sensor. Here, the author reviews syntheses and properties of electrochemical interfaces of field-effect transistor-based biosensors.

    • Toshiya Sakata
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Incorporating main group elements into amorphous porous organic polymers has enabled the fine tuning of the structures and properties of these materials. Here, the authors review studies in which the geometric structures and electronic properties of main group elements have influenced material structures and properties, and whereby their incorporation has enabled new strategies to synthesize such materials.

    • Zhikai Zhang
    • Zhaoxin Liu
    • Yi Ren
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Artificial photosynthesis aims to produce fuels and chemicals from simple, abundant building blocks, such as water and carbon dioxide, with sunlight as a source of energy. Here, the authors review recent developments in biomimetic, compartmentalized vesicular systems towards artificial photosynthesis, and highlight challenges and opportunities in mimicking this complex natural reaction system.

    • Laura Velasco-Garcia
    • Carla Casadevall
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Shortwave UV photons and very low energy electrons (vLEEs) are thought to be unfavorable prebiotic conditions on early Earth which can destroy unstable molecules. Here, the authors propose that nucleobases in their complementary pairs can enhance and consolidate the intrinsic stability of nucleobases against shortwave UV photons and vLEEs and promote their proliferation.

    • Y. Sajeev
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Stereoregular polymers exhibit improved thermal and mechanical properties, making the development of enantioselective polymerization catalysts of significant importance. Here, the authors summarize catalyst design strategies and synthetic routes for enantioselective polymerizations of degradable or recyclable polymers from racemic monomers.

    • Xiaoyu Xie
    • Ziyu Huo
    • Rong Tong
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Endothelial dysfunction is the early stage in the development of cardiovascular disease, however, molecular probes for diagnostics of endothelial dysfunction are still underexplored. Here, the authors review the specific nitric oxide and calcium sensors available in the context of detecting endothelial dysfunction.

    • Valeriia D. Andreeva
    • Haley Ehlers
    • Sylvestre Bonnet
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Atomically precise metal nanoclusters display exciting optical and catalytic properties, but their long-term instability under ambient conditions hinders their practical application. Here, the authors review recent progress in creating nanohybrids from atomically precise nanoclusters and other more stable nanomaterials, forming hybrids with useful properties and improved stabilities.

    • Koustav Sahoo
    • Tapu Raihan Gazi
    • Indranath Chakraborty
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Constructing crystalline materials with specific stimuli-responsive dynamics and controlled molecular motion affords opportunities for innovative functionality and applications. Here, the authors discuss recent developments in dynamic solid-state framework materials across a range of material classes, exploring key phenomena associated with such complex dynamics.

    • Simon Krause
    • Jovana V. Milić
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitters are inexpensive and versatile materials for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) covering all colour regions. Here, the authors review double boron embedded multi resonant TADF emitters with particular attention to molecular design concepts, synthetic routes, optoelectronic properties, and OLED performance, providing future prospects for display applications.

    • Kenkera Rayappa Naveen
    • Hye In Yang
    • Jang Hyuk Kwon
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • 101Tc is a lesser studied technetium isotope, but its unique nuclear properties and varying routes of production make it interesting for an array of applications where its shorter half-life can be exploited. Here, the authors review the discovery, nuclear properties, synthesis and separation, as well as applications of 101Tc, and point towards future research directions.

    • Erik V. Johnstone
    • Natalia Mayordomo
    • Edward J. Mausolf
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Ion separation membranes are of importance for a range of applications, including water treatment, raw material recovery, gas separation, and fuel cells, but traditional research and development methods can be expensive and time-consuming. Here, the authors review the capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence in the design of high performing ion-selective membranes.

    • Reza Maleki
    • Seyed Mohammadreza Shams
    • Amir Razmjou
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • ‘Molecular surgery’ is a useful method through which to create endohedral fullerenes that aren’t accessible by conventional physical methods of trapping small atoms and molecules. Here, the authors review the organic chemistry behind molecular surgery, describing the methods to access open-cage intermediates alongside the cage-closing chemistry.

    • Sally Bloodworth
    • Richard J. Whitby
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Control over chemical transformations in aqueous environments employing catalytic systems whose activity can be switched on/off is challenging. Here, the authors review the switchable catalytic systems that operate in aqueous environments in response to external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, small molecules, electric field, magnetic field and mechanical energy.

    • Nikita Das
    • Chandan Maity
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Aluminum–sulfur batteries have a theoretical energy density comparable to lithium–sulfur batteries, whereas aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust and the least expensive metallic anode material to date. Here, the authors review experimental and computational approaches to tailor the chemical interactions between sulfur host materials and polysulfides in Al-S batteries and point towards promising future research directions.

    • Matthias Klimpel
    • Maksym V. Kovalenko
    • Kostiantyn V. Kravchyk
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Continuously evolving computational methods are crucial to improve our understanding of the thermophysical properties of molten salts, which are experimentally hard to probe but used widely from steel manufacturing to solar power generation. Here, the authors review computational method developments from early simulations to current machine learning tools, and conclude with an outlook on the challenges molten salt simulations still pose.

    • Talmage Porter
    • Michael M. Vaka
    • Dennis Della Corte
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Molecular dynamics simulations, used to study chemical and biophysical processes, rely on the accuracy of the employed force fields. Here, the authors review successes and key areas of difficulty in the development of additive and polarizable force fields, and discuss experimental data availability, how empirical refinement impacts parametrization, and highlight possible routes to further improve the accuracy of force fields.

    • Marcelo D. Polêto
    • Justin A. Lemkul
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Two-dimensional colloidal nanoplatelets can assemble into materials with promising optical properties, and the influence of local curvature on these properties is an area of active interest. Here, the relationship between nanoplatelet geometry, self-assembly, and collective properties is reviewed.

    • Lilian Guillemeney
    • Laurent Lermusiaux
    • Benjamin Abécassis
    PerspectiveOpen Access