Holographic duality connects quantum gravity and strongly correlated many-body systems, enabling the study of quantum black holes in the lab. In this Review, Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev models, which illustrate this duality, are discussed along with their realization in ultracold gases, graphene, semiconducting nanowires and 3D topological insulators. See Franz & Rozali

There is increasing interest in the liquid, glass and amorphous solid states of coordination polymers and metal–organic frameworks. In this Review, the structural design, terminology, properties and potential applications of these materials are discussed. See Bennett & Horike

Graphene-integrated photonics is a platform for the manufacturing of modulators, detectors and switches for next-generation datacom and telecom systems. In this Review, these devices are described and a roadmap of the technological requirements for the datacom and telecom markets is presented. See Romagnoli et al. Romagnoli

Synchrotron radiation provides insight into the structure and properties of 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 materials.

Nanoplasmonics have emerged as a promising technology for applications in life sciences and medicine. In this Review, the application of nanoplasmonic optical antennas for in vivo intracellular exploration, photonic gene delivery and regulation, and in vitro molecular diagnostics are discussed. See Xin et al.

The extracellular matrix is nature’s template for an ideal biomaterial to guide tissue homeostasis and repair. In this Review, matrix-mimicking biomaterials and decellularized matrices are discussed for their potential to reconstruct and repair tissues in vitro and in vivo. See Hussey et al.

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.

Realizing topological superconductivity and Majorana zero modes in the laboratory is a major goal in condensed-matter physics. In this Review, the field is surveyed with a focus on the realization of topological superconductivity in semiconductor–superconductor heterostructures.

See Lutchyn et al.

Nanofibrils are abundant and critical structural components in nature, for example, in the exoskeleton of shrimps. The design principles of nanofibrils can be exploited for the development of new and sustainable materials. In this Review, hierarchical design strategies for cellulose, silk and chitin nanofibrils in nature and in materials engineering are discussed.

See Shengjie Ling, David L. Kaplan & Markus J. Buehler 3, 18016 (2018).

Experimental and computational studies reveal numerous aspects of the molecular structure and dynamics of spider silk. In this Review, the structure–function relationships of spider silk elucidated from these studies and how this knowledge may enable the reverse engineering of spider silk are discussed.

See Jeffery L. Yarger, Brian R. Cherry & Arjan van der Vaart 3, 18008 (2018).

Light can initiate chemistries with high spatial and temporal control. In this Review, photoresponsive biomaterials developed for controlled drug delivery and complex tissue engineering are investigated with a focus on photochemistries that provide dynamic precision.

See Emily R. Ruskowitz & Cole A. DeForest 3, 17087 (2018).

The field of DNA nanotechnology takes the DNA molecule out of its biological context and uses its information to assemble structural motifs and connect these motifs together. In this Review, a historical account of the field and the approaches used to assemble DNA nanostructures are outlined, followed by a discussion of emerging applications. 

See Nadrian C. Seeman & Hanadi F. Sleiman 3, 17068 (2017).