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Materials synthetic biology merges synthetic biology with materials science for the redesign of living systems into smart materials. This Review discusses how synthetic-biology tools can be applied for the engineering of self-organizing functional materials and programmable hybrid living materials.
Since its development over 20 years ago, aberration correction has revolutionized the way we study materials at the atomic scale. Here, I outline a set of technical developments for electron microscopes that, when implemented and combined, will enable us to better understand how matter behaves.
Germanium is a promising material to build quantum components for scalable quantum information processing. This Review examines progress in materials science and devices that has enabled key building blocks for germanium quantum technology, such as hole-spin qubits and superconductor–semiconductor hybrids.
Neural networks can capture nonlinear relationships in high-dimensional spaces and are powerful tools for photonic-system modelling. This Review discusses how deep neural networks can serve as surrogate electromagnetic solvers, inverse modelling tools and global device optimizers.
In photonics, the introduction of order and disorder has traditionally been treated separately. However, recent developments in nanofabrication and design strategies have enabled the use of materials that lie between the extremes of order and disorder that can yield innovative optical phenomena. This Review surveys the basics and recent achievements of engineered disorder in photonics.
An article in Advanced Materials reports the shape preservation of composite materials during compositional changes, and reveals how the magnetic, actuating and catalytic properties of selected materials may lead to applications in the future.
Nanoparticles enable wireless neural stimulation without the need for genetic manipulation. However, challenges remain for their potential application in the cure of human neurodegenerative diseases. A careful analysis of the different nanomaterials and energy sources that proved effective in animal models will direct their clinical translatability.
Large discrete 2D metallosupramolecules bridge the gap between small metallopolygons and infinite 2D metallopolymers, and are emerging platforms for the investigation of the structure–property–function relationships of 2D materials. This Review focuses on the design, synthesis and characterization of 2D metallosupramolecules, and presents a perspective on the future research directions.
The materials research landscape is being transformed by the infusion of approaches based on machine learning. This Review discusses the emerging materials intelligence ecosystems and the potential of human–machine partnerships for fast and efficient virtual materials screening, development and discovery.
The influx and efflux of water in biological structures leads to reversible deformation, which has important functions in plants (for example, in seed protection and dispersal) and animals (for example, in the recovery of the strength and shape of feathers, and for reversible changes in silk and hair). Here the authors review the main hydration-induced deformation mechanisms and highlight applications inspired by these processes.
In this Review, the authors analyse the fundamental concepts that govern the photocatalytic performance of organic polymer photocatalysts and discuss the challenges and future of the field of ‘soft photocatalysis’.
Polymer mechanochemistry converts mechanical forces in materials to chemical reactions through the response of functional groups known as mechanophores. This Review discusses the colorimetric, mechanical, chemical and electronic responses of mechanophores that may be useful in materials for strain sensing and strengthening, soft devices and additive manufacturing.
Supported isolated metal atoms and subnanometric metal clusters are emerging catalytic materials. This Review discusses the influence of confining subnanometric metal species in zeolites and metal–organic frameworks on their geometric and electronic structures and catalytic performance.
In February 2019, we co-founded LatinXinBME to build a diverse and welcoming virtual community of Latinx researchers in biomedical engineering (BME). We leverage digital tools and community mentoring approaches to support our members and to build safe spaces in academia, with the aim to diversify the academic workforce in STEM.
Metamaterials provide a platform to leverage optical signals for performing specific-purpose computational tasks with ultra-fast speeds. This Review surveys the basic principles, recent advances and promising future directions for wave-based-metamaterial analogue computing systems.
