Light-concentration effects in photonic nanostructures promise new applications ranging from tumour therapy to catalysis and enhanced solar cells. In this focus we look at how the design of light matter-interactions, for example via plasmonic effects, can be used as an efficient means to control light on the nanoscale, towards the realisation of these applications.

Organic semiconductors could one day be used in new types of spintronic devices. This focus revisits the first important steps taken in this relatively young field, and examines the experimental and theoretical challenges that still need to be overcome before realistic devices can be achieved.

The biomaterials field is booming, thanks to unprecedented levels of understanding of biological systems and their interfaces with materials. Advances in the lab should make major impacts on patient care soon. We look at the history, current status and future prospects for this dynamic field.

Knowledge of the microscopic structure is essential for understanding the properties of materials and to design functional devices. Electron microscopy and X-ray imaging have been used for decades to 'look' inside matter. The articles in this Insight aim to illustrate some of the most outstanding advances in instrumentation and computation abilities of these techniques that have led to unprecedented precision in terms of spatial resolution and sensitivity to composition and physical properties.

We explore the motivations for some physical scientists to move away from their original research field and use their background to contribute to the development of biomedical applications, as well as the reasons why some companies traditionally operating in the consumer electronics sector expand into healthcare.

The steep rise in fossil fuel prices has triggered a revival of interest in nuclear energy. This focus takes a look at where we stand with nuclear technology, and what materials research is needed to realize next-generation nuclear reactors.

Since the opening of the country to the outside world thirty years ago, the output of scientific publications in materials science from China has risen from almost nowhere into now being the third largest in the world. In this special issue of Nature Materials we take a look at this rapid development in China.

Surface plasmons are collective motions of electrons at the surface of a metal that can strongly amplify local electromagnetic fields. This special issue looks at the exciting possibilities in sub-wavelength imaging and biosensing enabled by surface plasmons.

The polymer industry spends millions of pounds a year producing materials with ideal properties for specific applications; but without a solid understanding of polymer property–structure relationships, perfecting properties is a daunting task. We examine the role of academia–industry collaborations in the theoretical design and understanding of these materials, how such collaborations can improve and shorten development routes to products, and the benefits they can bring to the academic partner.

The need for data storage is enormous, and is expected to increase even further in the near future as new technologies such as on-demand television or high-definition video make it to the consumer. This Insight aims to capture the dynamic research efforts that span the wide range of related disciplines in a compilation of editorial material as well as review articles.

Over the past few decades, South Korea has made impressive economic and scientific progress, whilst North Korea remains an insulated nation with many fundamental problems. In this focus issue we take a look at the situation of academic research in South Korea, and highlight attempts to build bridges to North Korea.

September 2007 marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of Nature Materials. To celebrate, the editors have put together their highlights of influential articles that have appeared since 2002. The topics in the selection reflect the diversity ofNature Materialscontent. We hope that you will enjoy browsing through the list, and join us in looking forward to an enjoyable and successful future.