News & Comment

An article in Science Advances reports the design of biodegradable bile salt microparticles for localized fat dissolution.

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.

An article in Nature Materials reports 3D bioprinting of functional kidney organoids for high-throughput drug screening.

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.

Looking back and contemplating the future at our five-year milestone.

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.

An article in Nature Electronics reports the generation, control and detection of magnetic skyrmions using thermal effects.

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.

An article in Advanced Healthcare Materials reports a tumour-on-a-chip platform for the high throughput-screening of cancer drugs.

An article in Communications Materials reports untethered magnetic soft robots that can perform large-degree deformations at high frequencies in low magnetic fields.

Advanced research microscopes in universities can be used to enhance the education of STEM students, as demonstrated by initiatives at Johns Hopkins University that give students the opportunity to get hands-on experience with sophisticated microscopes.

We must all ask ourselves critical questions about our role in the persistence of racism in academia, its effects on our colleagues and intentional actions to improve equity for all.

An article in Physical Review X reports the first experimental measurement of the intra-atomic exchange interaction in rare-earth atoms.

An article in Nature Materials reports a nanoparticle dose threshold above which nanoparticle accumulation in the tumour substantially increases.

An article in Science reports a modelling approach to estimate the effectiveness of different intervention scenarios aimed at reducing plastic pollution.

3D printing enables on-demand solutions for a wide spectrum of needs ranging from personal protection equipment to medical devices and isolation wards. This versatile technology is suited to address supply–demand imbalances caused by socio-economic trends and disruptions in supply chains.

An article in Nature Communications reports a 2D halide perovskite scintillator for the detection of β-rays and nuclear leakage.

An article in Angewandte Chemie International Edition reports water oxidation using a linear conjugated polymer photocatalyst.

An article in Nature Materials reports the control of the mechanical properties of a 2D magnet by changing its magnetization state, and of its magnetization by mechanical deformation.

An article in Nature Nanotechnology reports a retinal prosthesis made of semiconducting nanoparticles that can be injected into the eye to replace degenerated photoreceptors and restore vision.