Reviews & Analysis

The melting of transition metals on compression is a challenging topic. Computer simulations suggest that hot-compressed tantalum becomes a one-dimensional, liquid-like glass, with important implications for understanding planetary interiors.

Biological membranes form an extremely complex and dynamic network in cells, guided by specialized protein machinery. A new algorithm analyses membrane shape to extract forces applied by proteins controlling the membranes.

Large and homogeneous layers of graphene are obtained by annealing silicon carbide in a dense noble gas atmosphere that controls the way in which silicon sublimates. Epitaxial graphene thus gets back on track towards future electronic applications.

Preparation of supported subnanometre platinum clusters that are stable provides a new design strategy for industrial nanocatalysts.

Two independent studies demonstrate how control over magnetic molecules on surfaces may lead to new spintronics applications.

The discovery that domain walls in insulating thin films of the multiferroic compound BiFeO₃ are electrically conducting opens the door for a number of possible applications.

The role of catalysts is greater than simply increasing the rate of a reaction. Modifying nanoparticles enhances two significant catalyst attributes: selectivity and thermal stability.

Controlled assembly of diblock copolymers in which one of the blocks is crystalline enables the growth of a series of complex nano-architectures in a controlled fashion.

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.