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  • Focus |

    Synchrotron radiation provides insight into the structure and properties of diverse materials. In this issue, our collection of articles examines the role of synchrotron techniques in materials characterization, including understanding intrinsic properties and elucidating structure–property relationships for the improved performance of these materials.

    Image: Lauren V. Robinson

  • Focus |

    The field of soft robotics aims to develop soft, compliant robots to interact with humans or to perform autonomous tasks. In this issue, our collection of articles looks in depth at bioinspired and other design concepts, soft materials, fabrication techniques, biomedical applications and the future challenges.

    Image: Lori K. Sanders, Michael Wehner, Ryan L. Truby

  • Collection |

    The tissue microenvironment is structurally and dynamically complex. Materials designed to interact with diseased or compromised tissue to induce regeneration, or to act as a scaffold for the production of tissues in the laboratory, thus need to be responsive to the microenvironment. For this, researchers leverage increased knowledge of the importance of the spatiotemporal integration of biomaterials with the tissue environment, as well as latest developments in high-resolution technologies in imaging and in materials synthesis and fabrication. Dynamically responsive materials for use in tissue engineering respond to external stimuli or have inherent properties that trigger the targeted, timed release of integral chemical constituents or of incorporated ligands for the controlled repair or remodelling of surrounding tissue. This collection highlights recent impactful advances, published in Nature-branded journals, in such dynamic biomaterials.

    Image: Tulsi Voralia

  • Focus |

    In this Focus Issue, we explore the field of 2D materials with articles on their synthesis, fundamental properties, and the devices they enable. The challenges facing the commercialization of 2D materials, their adoption in biomedicine and other application areas are also discussed.