There is constant demand for data storage systems with higher capacities, longer lifetimes and lower energy consumptions. In this Review, the use of nanomaterials — including metal nanoparticles, graphene and graphene oxide, semiconductor quantum dots and rare-earth-doped nanocrystals — for the next generation of optical data storage methods is discussed.

See Min Gu et al. 1, 16070 (2016).

In this 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.

See Nat. Rev. Mater. 1, 16089 (2016).

Covalent organic frameworks are crystalline porous polymers with precisely ordered polygon architectures. In this Review we summarize recent advances in the design principles and synthetic reactions, highlight the current status in structural construction and functionality design, and predict challenging issues and future directions.

With a dangling-bond-free surface, two dimensional layered materials (2DLMs) can enable the creation of diverse van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) without the conventional constraint of lattice matching or process compatibility. This Review discusses the recent advances in exploring 2DLM vdWHs for future electronics and optoelectronics. 

See Yuan Liu et al. 1, 16042 (2016).

Multiferroic materials exhibit both magnetic and ferroelectric order and provide a way to control magnetism with electric fields. This Review outlines the mechanisms supporting multiferroicity, multiferroic thin films and heterostructures, the non-equilibrium dynamics of multiferroics, fundamental symmetry issues and the impact of multiferroics on other research areas.

See Manfred Fiebig et al. 1, 16046 (2016).

Magnetic skyrmions are quasiparticles that hold promise for future spintronic devices. In this Review, the detection, creation, manipulation and deletion of individual skyrmions in ultrathin films and in multilayers are surveyed, and their control by currents and external fields is discussed.

See Roland Wiesendanger 1, 16044 (2016).

Recent research into semiconductor nanowire lasers has resulted in the advent of new materials, a broader wavelength selection and effective electrical pumping schemes, thereby bringing these nanoscale lasers much closer to application in fields like communications, computing, sensing and imaging.

See Samuel W. Eaton et al. 1, 16028 (2016).

This Perspective explores and explains the fundamental dogma of nanoparticle delivery to tumours and answers two central questions: ‘how many nanoparticles accumulate in a tumour?’ and ‘how does this number affect the clinical translation of nanomedicines?’

See Stefan Wilhelm et al. 1, 16014 (2016).

Image credit: Stefan Wilhelm. Cover design: Lauren V. Robinson

The mechanical performance of hard biological materials is not only governed by their composition and architecture but also by the interfaces they contain. This Review discusses the composition, structure and mechanics of key interfaces within nacre, bone and wood, and their role in deformation and toughness.

See Francois Barthelat et al. 1, 15018 (2016).

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) - with their broad range of pores sizes and chemical functionalities -  have shown promise in many applications, including catalysis. In this Review, the chemical, thermal and mechanical stabilities of MOFs, in particular with catalytic uses in mind, are discussed.

See Ashlee J. Howarth et al. 1, 15018 (2016).

Colloidal crystals composed of isotropic spheres are powerful model systems for the studies of crystallization, melting and solid-solid transitions at the single-particle level. Tunable, anisotropic or active particles provide greater opportunities to study crystal assembly and phase transitions.

Ice-repellency can be achieved on various hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, although a surface that repels ice under all environmental scenarios remains elusive. Different strategies are reviewed with a focus on the recent development of lubricant-infused superhydrophobic surfaces.

See Michael J. Kreder et al. 1, 15003 (2016).

Image credit: Michael J. Kreder, Harvard University. Cover design: Lauren V. Robinson