Articles in 2008

The discovery of magnetically induced electric polarization in cupric oxide at 230 K has uncovered a new class of multiferroics with significantly higher ordering temperatures.

A method of writing and erasing conducting nanostructures at the interface between the wide-bandgap insulators LaAlO₃ and SrTiO₃ is presented. New developments for ultrahigh-density information storage look feasible.

The new generation of hydrogels moves away from the bulk materials of old, to those with multilayered, complex internal structures and controllable physical properties.

Starting out as a theoretical physicist, Ludwik Leibler was first introduced to the concept of a polymer by Pierre-Gilles de Gennes. He has gone on to stamp his own inimitable style on the challenges that he has undertaken in soft matter, in particular building strong links with commercial companies. Nature Materials talked to him about the benefits of joining forces with industry — and his experiences with de Gennes.

It's not surprising that the work of de Gennes has already found a variety of applications — understanding soft matter brings great advantages for industry.

Crystallography and microscopy are alternative pathways for investigating the structure of small objects. More elaborate techniques are needed at length scales where atomic clusters become nanocrystals.

The development of superconducting metamaterials opens the way to a new level of control over electromagnetic fields.

From its inception, the polymer industry has engaged theorists in materials design. Despite the maturation of the industry, the need for theoreticians to contribute to the development of new materials for established and emerging applications is as relevant as ever.

We’re all familiar with the annoying problem of trying to peel sticky tape from a surface, only for the detached piece to narrow into a point and break off. Surprisingly, this phenomenon can be put to good use in deriving the mechanical parameters of a wide variety of thin, adhesive films.

The nature of electrostatic charges produced at the surface of insulators by rubbing is the subject of a long-standing discussion. The charges created on polytetrafluoroethylene by rubbing with polymethylmethacrylate are identified here to be electrons rather than ions.

Phase-change materials are of commercial interest for their use in rewritable optical disks and as non-volatile memories, although little is known about the dynamics of the phase transition. The numerical simulation of the entire write-erase cycle therefore provides important clues towards the development of new phase-change materials.

To produce hydrogen by reforming hydrocarbons, efficient catalysts capable of removing carbon monoxide are needed. This can now be achieved via a preferential oxidation mechanism using nanoparticle catalysts consisting of a ruthenium core covered with platinum.

Coherent diffraction experiments and molecular dynamics enable the study of atomic contraction in gold nanocrystals. They reveal a surface-orientation dependence of the atomic bond contraction—remarkably different from the situation in bulk.

Despite the demonstration that nanowires can grow below the eutectic point, a clear understanding of how this happens has not been reached. Video-rate transmission electron microscopy brings new insight into the issue, showing in real time the growth of silicon nanowires with palladium catalysts.