Commentary in 2008

Despite the absence of consensus on a theory of the transition from supercooled liquids to glasses, the experimental observations suggest that a detail-independent theory should exist.

After over a quarter of a century, the doors of the world's first synchrotron radiation source have closed. Its contribution to materials science in the past and the future should not be underestimated.

With some nanomaterial-based medicines having entered the marketplace, and more on the verge of doing so, nanomedicine is expected to become an exciting playground for chemists and material scientists.

Nuclear energy offers a low-carbon footprint and less dependence on fossil fuel, but several materials challenges must be met to advance nuclear technology.

As interest in new generations of nuclear reactors is increasing worldwide, renewed research effort into new materials more tolerant to extreme conditions is crucial.

As economic competition in the region increases, Hong Kong has to reinvent itself as a knowledge-based society.

The fast-paced economic development in China needs to be complemented by strong support for fundamental research, particularly in the materials sciences.

Although the Internet has fundamentally changed the way we communicate, science publishing is remarkably hesitant in making full use of the potential offered by new technology.

Several approaches are capable of beating the classical 'diffraction limit'. In the optical domain, not only are superlenses a promising choice: concepts such as super-oscillations could provide feasible alternatives.

New dosimeters are needed to measure radiation up to extreme levels created by particle accelerators and nuclear fusion reactors. The time to develop these dosimeters is now.

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.