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Two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) is an optical technique that can investigate ultrafast dynamics with femtosecond time resolution. This Primer describes the underlying physical principles behind 2DES and explains how it can be applied to study different dynamic photophysical processes.
Studying materials at high temperature and pressure provides information about phase transitions, with different X-ray probes to characterize material properties. This Primer describes how static and dynamic compression at synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers can be used to reach high temperature, high pressure states and probe matter under extreme conditions.
Electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy measurements involve the collection of greatly enhanced Raman spectra at the electrified interface of nanostructured metal surfaces. In this Primer, Brosseau et al. describe the mechanisms of electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and important experimental details as well as data preprocessing, interpretation and analysis.
Protein film electrochemistry is used to study the redox properties of a protein adsorbed as a monolayer film on a working electrode. This Primer describes how protein film electrochemistry quantitatively investigates the thermodynamics and kinetics of processes such as ligand binding and redox catalysis.
Time-domain solutions to Maxwell’s equations can be computed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. This Primer explores how FDTD can be used to study electromagnetic fields in complex media, including a summary of FDTD models, extensions, outputs and applications across the electromagnetic spectrum.
The unique electronic, mechanical and chemical properties of functionalized carbon nanotubes make them promising candidates for chemical sensors. In this Primer, Luo and Swager outline the material selection, device architecture and fabrication of carbon nanotube-based chemiresistive sensors and best practices for sensor testing.
The surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) effect holds an important position in advancing biological and chemical sensing technologies with chemical resolution. In this Primer, Kozuch et al. overview fabrication methods of SEIRA-active substrates and describe experimental considerations and interpretation of SEIRA spectra.
Functional material design can be enhanced by taking inspiration from nature. This Primer describes how micropatterns inspired by the natural world can be designed, fabricated and used to solve technical challenges.
Negative control variables (NCs) are variables that do not cause the outcome of interest and are not caused by the exposure of interest. This Primer describes how to use NCs to adjust for unmeasured confounding bias, for example in environmental or public health studies.
This PrimeView highlights the production of nanotechnology-based mRNA vaccines, with a focus on their use to prevent infectious disease and in targeting tumours.
mRNA vaccines produce rapid and precise immune responses against infectious diseases and cancers. Chen et al. discuss the development of biomaterials and nanotechnology for mRNA vaccines, how these are designed and evaluated and the underlying mechanisms of cellular uptake and immune stimulation.
