News & Comment

The self-assembly properties of block copolymers are primitive when compared with natural examples such as protein folding but, as Richard Jones reports, promising new approaches and ideas are being explored.

Do molecules have beauty? Is it possible to fall in love with one? Based on what Harry Kroto and others have written about buckminsterfullerene, Chris Toumey thinks that the answer to both these questions is yes.

When a research council in the UK consulted the public about different aspects of nanomedicine, the feedback was loud and clear. Richard Jones reports.

There are many different ways to introduce the public to nanotechnology, writes Chris Toumey. Just don't mention human hairs or the space elevator.

Is nanotechnology an example of a new approach to science and technology, or have commercial considerations always played a major role in decisions about funding research? Richard Jones looks at both sides of the argument.

It is difficult to be definitive about certain aspects of nanotechnology, especially the use of nanoparticles in medical applications. Chris Toumey looks at two views.

Synthetic biology and nanotechnology have much in common, including the presence of competing schools of thought within each field. Richard Jones explores the parallels between the two subjects.

How has science fiction been influenced by nanotechnology? And why do so many reports about the possibilities of nanotechnology read like science fiction? Chris Toumey looks for answers.

Is it possible to reconcile the caution of most scientists about their results with the demands of the media for headlines and the growing emphasis placed by funding agencies on the economic impact of research? Richard Jones urges scientists to be careful in their claims.

Debates about nanotechnology and religion have become dominated by the concepts of transhumanism and cyberimmortality, but, argues Chris Toumey, there are more interesting topics to discuss.