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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.
Nature is the master in precision synthesis of macromolecules. In synthetic materials, achieving a high degree of structural precision is challenging and the influence of molecular defects on the properties of materials remains uncertain.
Ionic liquids and their solid-state analogues, organic ionic plastic crystals, have recently emerged as important materials for renewable energy applications. This Review highlights recent advances in the synthesis of these materials and their application as electrolytes for batteries, capacitors, photovoltaics, fuel cells and CO2 reduction.
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices offer the promise of efficient artificial photosynthesis. In this Review, recently developed light-harvesting materials for PEC application are scrutinized with respect to their atomic constitution, electronic structure and potential for practical performance in PEC cells.
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.
Tuning the reversible chemistries in hydrogels makes it possible to mimic the dynamic nature of the extracellular matrix. Various chemistries have been incorporated to regulate cell spreading, biochemical presentation and matrix mechanics.