Reviews & Analysis

The chain-forming tendency of chalcogens like tellurium can be used as an efficient internal redox system capable of switching electronic conduction from n-type to p-type through small temperature changes.

The spin injection efficiency from a ferromagnetic electrode into an organic layer has been successfully probed by two purpose-made techniques. The observed spin diffusion lengths of tens of nanometres hold promise for potential spintronics applications.

Mucus presents a formidable barrier to nanoparticle drug-delivery systems, but adding a coating of polymer molecules helps them sneak through the net.

In semiconductor quantum dots, the electronic wave functions are squeezed into small areas. Stretching them in a controllable yet simple way profoundly affects their properties and can give them characteristics important for practical applications.

Using self-assembly and electrodeposition, complementary organic and inorganic building blocks are combined to form a lamellar hybrid that is an efficient photoconductor.

A simple nanoimprinting method creates arrays of ferroelectric polymer structures suitable for low-cost, non-volatile memories.