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| Open AccessDirected block copolymer self-assembly implemented via surface-embedded electrets
The controlled orientation of block copolymers promises to deliver high resolution patterning for implementation in future nanoscale technologies. Here, the authors use the electric field from charged electrets to induce extremely localised perpendicularly oriented microdomains in polymer thin films.
- Mei-Ling Wu
- , Dong Wang
- & Li-Jun Wan
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Article
| Open AccessNon-equilibrium behaviour in coacervate-based protocells under electric-field-induced excitation
Synthetic cells are designed to mimic basic life processes, but it is challenging to prepare cells that can persist and operate at non-equilibrium conditions. Here, Yin et al.show complex dynamical behaviors of protocells made by exposing polylysine and single-stranded DNA droplets to an electric field.
- Yudan Yin
- , Lin Niu
- & Dehai Liang
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Article
| Open AccessStructural complexity of simple Fe2O3 at high pressures and temperatures
Fe2O3is known to undergo a series of structural, electronic and magnetic transformations at high pressures and temperatures but these are poorly understood due to a lack of structural data. Here, the authors perform experiments to elucidate the transformations and relationships between them.
- E. Bykova
- , L. Dubrovinsky
- & V. Prakapenka
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Article
| Open AccessAdvanced intermediate temperature sodium–nickel chloride batteries with ultra-high energy density
Sodium metal halide batteries are attractive technologies for stationary electrical energy storage. Here, the authors report that planar sodium-nickel chloride batteries operated at an intermediate temperature of 190 °C display larger energy densities than tubular batteries operated at higher temperatures.
- Guosheng Li
- , Xiaochuan Lu
- & Vincent L. Sprenkle
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Article
| Open AccessIonic polarization-induced current–voltage hysteresis in CH3NH3PbX3 perovskite solar cells
The origin of hysteresis remains an open question in lead-halide perovskite solar cells. Here, Meloni et al. investigate the causes of hysteresis using an experimental and computational approach, finding that the observed hysteresis is due to halide ion-vacancy movement in the perovskite.
- Simone Meloni
- , Thomas Moehl
- & Michael Graetzel
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Article
| Open AccessDesign of crystal-like aperiodic solids with selective disorder–phonon coupling
Conventional crystallography focuses on structurally-ordered systems, where interesting physics or novel material functions emerge. Here, Overy et al. propose an approach of designing functional materials with strongly correlated disorder, which can couple with phonons to affect lattice dynamics.
- Alistair R. Overy
- , Andrew B. Cairns
- & Andrew L. Goodwin
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-efficiency electrochemical thermal energy harvester using carbon nanotube aerogel sheet electrodes
Conversion of low-grade waste heat into electricity is an important energy harvesting strategy. Here, the authors fabricate carbon nanotube aerogel-based thermo-electrochemical cells, which are potentially low-cost and relatively high-efficiency materials for this application.
- Hyeongwook Im
- , Taewoo Kim
- & Yong Hyup Kim
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Article
| Open AccessThree-dimensional porous carbon composites containing high sulfur nanoparticle content for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Lithium–sulfur batteries have high theoretical capacities but their performance is limited by poor conductivity and low stability. Here, the authors fabricate three-dimensional porous graphitic carbon composites containing sulfur nanoparticles and probe the effect of sulfur content on battery performance.
- Guoxing Li
- , Jinhua Sun
- & Jianxin Geng
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Article
| Open AccessStructure sensitivity in the nonscalable regime explored via catalysed ethylene hydrogenation on supported platinum nanoclusters
Ethylene hydrogenation often serves as an example of a structure insensitive reaction. Here, the authors study the reaction, catalyzed by a range of size-selected platinum nanocatalysts, and demonstrate that in the sub-nanometer regime particle size can be used to tune hydrogenation activity and selectivity.
- Andrew S. Crampton
- , Marian D. Rötzer
- & Uzi Landman
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Article
| Open AccessEvidence and implications of direct charge excitation as the dominant mechanism in plasmon-mediated photocatalysis
The excitation of metal nanoparticles with light can lead to localized surface plasmon resonances, capable of driving chemical reactions in bound species. Here, the authors elucidate this mechanism and suggest that future plasmonic catalysts may be able to selectively activate specific chemical bonds.
- Calvin Boerigter
- , Robert Campana
- & Suljo Linic
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-contrast and fast electrochromic switching enabled by plasmonics
Slow switching speeds in device configurations have severely limited the applications of electrochromic materials. Here, Xu et al. use plasmonic nanoslit arrays and demonstrate fast, high-contrast, monochromatic and full-colour electrochromic switching using two different electrochromic polymers.
- Ting Xu
- , Erich C. Walter
- & A. Alec Talin
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Article
| Open AccessElectropolymerization on wireless electrodes towards conducting polymer microfibre networks
Electropolymerization of aromatic monomers on bipolar electrodes is emerging as promising route to the surface modification of conductive objects. Here, the authors discover that some conducting polymers propagate as fibres, opening up the possibility of growing conductive polymer networks via a wireless process.
- Yuki Koizumi
- , Naoki Shida
- & Shinsuke Inagi
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Article
| Open AccessMapping multidimensional electronic structure and ultrafast dynamics with single-element detection and compressive sensing
Many spectral regions lack the sensitive pixel array detectors needed for multidimensional spectroscopy. Here, the authors report a method for rapidly collecting multidimensional optical spectra without an array detector, instead utilizing spatial encoding and a single-element detector.
- Austin P. Spencer
- , Boris Spokoyny
- & Elad Harel
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Article
| Open AccessBroadband single-molecule excitation spectroscopy
In single-molecule spectroscopy typically only emission spectra are recorded. Here, the authors develop a technique to record single-molecule excitation spectra under ambient conditions, which is robust against blinking and bleaching, and reveals a large distribution of spectra across the molecule ensemble.
- Lukasz Piatkowski
- , Esther Gellings
- & Niek F. van Hulst
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Article
| Open AccessPulse-density modulation control of chemical oscillation far from equilibrium in a droplet open-reactor system
Biological systems typically operate at conditions far from chemical equilibrium. Here, the authors model and develop a microfluidic reactor allowing control over time-variable supply and dissipation of chemicals by droplet fusion and fission, allowing non-equilibrium chemical reactions to be regulated.
- Haruka Sugiura
- , Manami Ito
- & Masahiro Takinoue
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Article
| Open AccessOptimal metal domain size for photocatalysis with hybrid semiconductor-metal nanorods
The efficiency of photocatalysis on semiconductor-metal hybrid nanostructures can be influenced by myriad factors. Here, through both experimental and theoretical efforts, the authors elucidate the influence of metal domain size upon performance of such structures, allowing future rational design.
- Yuval Ben-Shahar
- , Francesco Scotognella
- & Uri Banin
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Article
| Open AccessHierarchy of bond stiffnesses within icosahedral-based gold clusters protected by thiolates
The hierarchy of bond stiffness may contribute to the thermal properties of metal clusters. Here, the authors use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study the stiffness of the gold–gold and gold–sulfur bonds in a series of thiolate-protected, icosahedral-based gold clusters.
- Seiji Yamazoe
- , Shinjiro Takano
- & Tatsuya Tsukuda
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Article
| Open AccessInsertion compounds and composites made by ball milling for advanced sodium-ion batteries
New sodium-ion battery technology requires better control over solid electrolyte interface formation. Here, the authors report a series of ball-milled sodium alloys and enriched insertion electrodes, which act as sodium reservoirs compensating for sodium loss during solid electrolyte interface formation.
- Biao Zhang
- , Romain Dugas
- & Jean-Marie Tarascon
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Article
| Open AccessA simple and versatile design concept for fluorophore derivatives with intramolecular photostabilization
Synthetic organic fluorophores are powerful tools for bioimaging, but frequently display shortened observation times and signal fluctuations. Here, the authors report a general method to covalently label a biomolecule with a fluorophore and photostabilizer, reducing unwanted photophysical effects by intramolecular quenching of reactive fluorophore states.
- Jasper H. M. van der Velde
- , Jens Oelerich
- & Thorben Cordes
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Article
| Open AccessThree-dimensional controlled growth of monodisperse sub-50 nm heterogeneous nanocrystals
Atomic-level control over size, shape and surface composition of nanoparticles is vital for developing materials with integrated multiple functionalities. Here, the authors probe the different roles of oleate ions and oleic acid molecules and their effects on growth mechanisms for sub-50 nm nanoparticles.
- Deming Liu
- , Xiaoxue Xu
- & Dayong Jin
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Article
| Open AccessElectrochemically driven mechanical energy harvesting
There is intensive research underway into the development of various mechanical energy harvesters. Here, the authors report an electrochemically driven mechanical energy harvester that uses the stress-induced potential difference of lithiated silicon electrodes to generate continuous electricity.
- Sangtae Kim
- , Soon Ju Choi
- & Ju Li
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Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of mineral–organic composite formation reveals occlusion mechanism
The occlusion of biomacromolecules can endow biominerals with enhanced mechanical properties. Here, the authors usein situatomic force microscopy and micromechanical simulations to trace micelle incorporation in calcite to shed light on the mechanism of occlusion and cavity formation.
- Kang Rae Cho
- , Yi-Yeoun Kim
- & James J. De Yoreo
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Article
| Open AccessTransition state theory demonstrated at the micron scale with out-of-equilibrium transport in a confined environment
Transition state theory has proven to be a powerful tool for the analysis of a number of processes, perhaps most commonly chemical reactions. Here, the authors use transition state theory to model a directly observable, micron scale process—the transport of DNA molecules in a confined environment.
- Christian L. Vestergaard
- , Morten Bo Mikkelsen
- & Henrik Flyvbjerg
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Article
| Open AccessThe hydrogen-bond network of water supports propagating optical phonon-like modes
How the local structure of water varies as a function of temperature is a long-studied topic, which is still under debate. Here, the authors show that dielectric susceptibility measurements might be used to probe and identify propagating optical phonon-like modes in the hydrogen-bond network of water.
- Daniel C. Elton
- & Marivi Fernández-Serra
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Article
| Open AccessAtomic scale simulation of carbon nanotube nucleation from hydrocarbon precursors
Atomic scale simulation of the nucleation and growth of carbon nanotubes is essential for understanding their growth mechanism. Here, the authors look at cap nucleation of nanotubes from hydrocarbon precursors, specifically probing the role of hydrogen in the early stages of growth.
- Umedjon Khalilov
- , Annemie Bogaerts
- & Erik C. Neyts
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Article
| Open AccessTracking molecular resonance forms of donor–acceptor push–pull molecules by single-molecule conductance experiments
Donor-acceptor molecules are important components for molecular electronics applications. Here, the authors show that donor-acceptor molecular wires exhibit changes in conductivity under the influence of small changes in the environment.
- Henriette Lissau
- , Riccardo Frisenda
- & Kurt V. Mikkelsen
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Article
| Open AccessAvalanching strain dynamics during the hydriding phase transformation in individual palladium nanoparticles
Phase transformations in nanoparticles can have a large effect on the performance of electrochemical devices and are strongly determined by parameters such as surface energy and faceting. Here, the authors study the hydriding phase transformation in individual palladium nanocubes and uncover individual structure-function relationships.
- A. Ulvestad
- , M. J. Welland
- & O. G. Shpyrko
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Article
| Open AccessA small-gap electrostatic micro-actuator for large deflections
Most electrostatic actuators suffer from an operational instability, the so-called pull-in effect. Here, the authors report an electrostatic actuator concept which makes the huge electrostatic forces within nanometre small electrode separation accessible for large deflections.
- Holger Conrad
- , Harald Schenk
- & Miriam Lenz
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Article
| Open AccessConformational gating of DNA conductance
DNA could find a role in molecular electronics. Here, the authors show that the conductance of DNA can be reversibly changed by an order of magnitude when its conformation is changed from one form to another by controlling its chemical environment.
- Juan Manuel Artés
- , Yuanhui Li
- & Joshua Hihath
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Review Article
| Open AccessThe structural origin of anomalous properties of liquid water
Water is the most common liquid in nature, with unusual properties that could be linked to the peculiar hydrogen-bonding network holding the molecules together. Here, Nilsson and Pettersson review recent progress in searching the connections between local configurations and thermodynamic responses of water.
- Anders Nilsson
- & Lars G. M. Pettersson
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Article
| Open AccessBoundaries can steer active Janus spheres
Self-propelled colloidal particles can be potentially used to transport cargoes at the microscale, but it is challenging to prevent randomization of their motion by Brownian rotations. Here, Das et al.quench these rotations by solid walls, which guide in-plane swimming without the need for external fields.
- Sambeeta Das
- , Astha Garg
- & Stephen J. Ebbens
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-efficiency polymer solar cells with small photon energy loss
Maximising short-circuit current density and open circuit voltage in polymer-fullerene solar cells is a critical issue. Here, the authors use an aphthobisoxadiazole-based polymer and observe a low photon energy loss of 0.5 eV, with an open-circuit voltage of 1 V and power conversion efficiency of 9%.
- Kazuaki Kawashima
- , Yasunari Tamai
- & Kazuo Takimiya
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Article
| Open AccessTransformation and patterning of supermicelles using dynamic holographic assembly
Block copolymers can form micelles and assemblies of micelles (supermicelles) when placed in suitable solvents. Here, the authors use optical tweezers to control the arrangement and deposition of supermicelles into higher-order patterned nanostructures.
- Oliver E.C. Gould
- , Huibin Qiu
- & Ian Manners
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Article
| Open AccessSuppressing molecular motions for enhanced room-temperature phosphorescence of metal-free organic materials
Phosphorescent materials made of purely organic components are typically less efficient than their organometallic counterparts. Here, the authors report a strategy to improve the phosphorescence efficiency of metal-free materials by reducing radiationless transitions by covalently linking into a polymer matrix.
- Min Sang Kwon
- , Youngchang Yu
- & Jinsang Kim
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Article
| Open AccessA tyrosine–tryptophan dyad and radical-based charge transfer in a ribonucleotide reductase-inspired maquette
Tyrosine-tryptophan dyads are known to mediate electron transfer reactions in a range of different proteins. Here, the authors study a beta hairpin peptide, probing the tyrosine-tryptophan interaction and showing no hydrogen bonding but rather charge transfer between the tyrosyl radical and tryptophan'.
- Cynthia V. Pagba
- , Tyler G. McCaslin
- & Bridgette A. Barry
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Article
| Open AccessEnhanced optoelectronic quality of perovskite thin films with hypophosphorous acid for planar heterojunction solar cells
An imbalance in I/Pb stoichiometry is thought to lead to defects in metal halide films. Here, Zhang et al. show that the addition of hypophosphorous acid in the precursor solution can significantly improve the film quality and enhance the photoluminescence intensity, leading to improved photovoltaic devices.
- Wei Zhang
- , Sandeep Pathak
- & Henry J. Snaith
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Article
| Open AccessImaging thermal conductivity with nanoscale resolution using a scanning spin probe
Many aspects of energy flow in nanostructures are not well understood due to difficulties associated with resolution. Here, Laraoui et al. use a diamond-nanocrystal-hosted nitrogen vacancy centre as a nanoscale probe with atomic force microscopy to image thermal conductivity.
- Abdelghani Laraoui
- , Halley Aycock-Rizzo
- & Carlos A. Meriles
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Article
| Open AccessPatterning two-dimensional free-standing surfaces with mesoporous conducting polymers
Solution-state patterning of functional materials on surfaces is important for a number of emerging technologies. Here, the authors demonstrate a bottom-up method of endowing freestanding surfaces with mesoporous conducting polymer coatings for enhanced electrochemical capacitance properties.
- Shaohua Liu
- , Pavlo Gordiichuk
- & Xinliang Feng
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient near-infrared up-conversion photoluminescence in carbon nanotubes
Photoluminescent objects absorb light and then relax by emitting photons, usually with a lower energy. Here, the authors show that carbon nanotubes also emit larger energy photons thanks to one-phonon-assisted up-conversion, suggesting that nanotubes could be used as near-infrared up-converters.
- Naoto Akizuki
- , Shun Aota
- & Yuhei Miyauchi
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Article
| Open AccessGraphene liquid crystal retarded percolation for new high-k materials
It is commonly believed that graphene flakes form electrical percolation networks at low concentration, and thus can be used as conductive materials. Here, Yuan et al. show in graphene polymer composites that the transition to liquid crystals hinders the formation of percolated networks, resulting in high-kmaterials.
- Jinkai Yuan
- , Alan Luna
- & Philippe Poulin
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Article
| Open AccessX-ray photoemission analysis of clean and carbon monoxide-chemisorbed platinum(111) stepped surfaces using a curved crystal
Systematic variation of surface sites may allow for more efficient testing of surface chemical reactions. Here, the authors use a platinum curved crystal and, by carrying out photoemission scans, are able to systematically address the fundamental CO-chemisorption process on a ‘tunable’ vicinal surface.
- Andrew L. Walter
- , Frederik Schiller
- & J. Enrique Ortega
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Article
| Open AccessAtomistic electrodynamics simulations of bare and ligand-coated nanoparticles in the quantum size regime
Investigating the properties of metallic nanoparticles in the 2–10 nm range is a computational challenge. Here, the authors introduce an atomistic electrodynamics model to describe bare and coated particles and dimers, and show that the ligand layer modifies the near-field properties of the particles.
- Xing Chen
- , Justin E. Moore
- & Lasse Jensen
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Article
| Open AccessSponge-like nanoporous single crystals of gold
Naturally occurring single crystals can exhibit various intricate porous morphologies. Here, the authors are able to grow nanoporous single crystals of gold following solidification of a eutectic composition melt that forms as a result of the dewetting of nanometric thin films.
- Maria Koifman Khristosov
- , Leonid Bloch
- & Boaz Pokroy
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Article
| Open AccessPhotoinduced spontaneous free-carrier generation in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes
Photoinduced carrier-generation in individual semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes is controversial. Here, the authors demonstrate that free carriers can be generated even in the absence of dissociating interfaces by performing time-resolved microwave conductivity on solutions of dispersed nanotubes.
- Jaehong Park
- , Obadiah G. Reid
- & Garry Rumbles
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Article
| Open AccessGeneral synthesis of inorganic single-walled nanotubes
Single walled nanotubes are promising materials for both fundamental research and advanced applications. Here, the authors develop the synthesis of four types of inorganic single walled nanotube, and show that their formation is initiated by the self-coiling of their ultrathin building blocks.
- Bing Ni
- , Huiling Liu
- & Xun Wang
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Article
| Open AccessFormation of bimetallic clusters in superfluid helium nanodroplets analysed by atomic resolution electron tomography
Advancing electron tomography to atomic resolution is a powerful and challenging process. Here, the authors demonstrate atomic resolution electron tomography on silver-gold core-shell nanoclusters grown in superfluid helium nanodroplets, revealing their three-dimensional morphology and composition.
- Georg Haberfehlner
- , Philipp Thaler
- & Gerald Kothleitner
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Article
| Open AccessMussel adhesion is dictated by time-regulated secretion and molecular conformation of mussel adhesive proteins
Interfacial water constitutes a formidable barrier to strong surface bonding, hampering the development of water-resistant synthetic adhesives. Here, the authors elucidate the precise time-regulated secretion of mussel adhesive proteins in Perna viridis, probing their surface structures and subsequent roles.
- Luigi Petrone
- , Akshita Kumar
- & Ali Miserez
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Article
| Open AccessSimultaneous enhancements in photon absorption and charge transport of bismuth vanadate photoanodes for solar water splitting
Bismuth vanadate is a promising photoanode for water-splitting, although its performance is limited by its wide bandgap. Here, the authors show that a gentle nitrogen treatment can result in nitrogen doping and oxygen vacancy generation, simultaneously reducing bandgap and increasing charge transport.
- Tae Woo Kim
- , Yuan Ping
- & Kyoung-Shin Choi
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Article
| Open AccessDesigning bioinspired composite reinforcement architectures via 3D magnetic printing
Superior mechanical properties in natural composites are frequently achieved by the inclusion of locally orientated reinforcing particles. Here, the authors implement this design strategy synthetically by employing a 3D magnetic printing protocol to create programmable composite architectures.
- Joshua J. Martin
- , Brad E. Fiore
- & Randall M. Erb