Scientific community and society articles within Nature Materials

Featured

  • Feature |

    Kinetic trapping in supramolecular gels leads to varied morphologies and macroscopic properties. Emily R. Draper and Dave J. Adams discuss subtle experimental effects that can lead to reproducibility issues in these systems.

    • Emily R. Draper
    •  & Dave J. Adams
  • Feature |

    The materials modelling community is emerging as a champion for reproducible and reusable science. Aron Walsh discusses how FAIR databases, collaborative codes and transparent workflows are advancing this movement.

    • Aron Walsh
  • Feature |

    Tae Hoon Lee and Zachary P. Smith argue that some of the most exciting materials that could be used for gas separations are metastable or crystalline, with properties that are altered by sample preparation and testing, but there are no widely accepted standards.

    • Tae Hoon Lee
    •  & Zachary P. Smith
  • Feature |

    Frustrated by reproducibility in electrical measurements on ferroelectric films, Lane Martin, Jon-Paul Maria and Darrell Schlom discuss tactics to reliably synthesize ‘good’ ferroelectric samples, especially in the search for superior materials and device heterostructures.

    • Lane W. Martin
    • , Jon-Paul Maria
    •  & Darrell G. Schlom
  • Feature |

    Joseph Heremans and Joshua Martin discuss the reproducibility of thermoelectric measurements and conclude that the uncertainty on the figure of merit zT is of the order of 15–20%.

    • Joseph P. Heremans
    •  & Joshua Martin
  • Editorial |

    With a continuing increase in scientific studies, there is a growing awareness of the need to reproduce scientific results.

  • Editorial |

    Peer review has long been established as the gold standard for scientific publishing, but changes in the publishing ecosystem should not influence author response to the views of their peers.

  • Editorial |

    A measure of the impact of scientific papers indicates that they are on average becoming less disruptive — this could reflect changes in the scientific community.

  • Editorial |

    Click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry have finally been recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

  • Why it Matters |

    Zhu-Jun Wang and Zhi Liu discuss how advanced characterization technologies have helped to understand ancient man-made materials and human history.

    • Zhu-Jun Wang
    •  & Zhi Liu
  • Editorial |

    A change in UK government must lead to changes in science policy.

  • Comment |

    Materials and surface sciences have been the driving force in the development of modern-day lithium-ion batteries. This Comment explores this journey while contemplating future challenges, such as interface engineering, sustainability and the importance of obtaining high-quality extensive datasets for enhancing data-driven research.

    • Jean-Marie Tarascon
  • Editorial |

    Materials scientists have played a key role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic from the development of vaccines and diagnostic tools to the rapid prototyping of ventilators.

  • News & Views |

    Outstanding resistance to destructive radiation damage in structural alloys is realized by ultra-high-density reversible nanoprecipitate inclusions, and the improvement is attributed to the reordering process of low-misfit superlattices in highly supersaturated matrices.

    • Yanwen Zhang
  • Why it Matters |

    Gabriele Rainò, Lukas Novotny and Martin Frimmer discuss the approach they are pursuing at ETH Zürich to provide students with an education in quantum engineering.

    • Gabriele Rainò
    • , Lukas Novotny
    •  & Martin Frimmer
  • Why it Matters |

    Suhas Eswarappa Prameela, K. T. Ramesh and Tim Weihs highlight how students and postdocs can develop their competencies and skills during research collaboration.

    • Suhas Eswarappa Prameela
    • , K. T. Ramesh
    •  & Timothy P. Weihs
  • Why it Matters |

    Olga Malinkiewicz, founder of Saule Technologies, discusses her transition from academia to industry.

    • Olga Malinkiewicz
  • News & Views |

    The discovery of intrinsic quantum confinement effects in the form of oscillations in the optical absorption of formamidinium lead triiodide thin films is a vivid example of the surprising physical properties of these hybrid organic–inorganic materials.

    • Alejandro R. Goñi
  • Comment |

    The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited efforts to develop materials science innovations aimed at stopping viral infections. One of the greatest opportunities lies in developing broad-spectrum antiviral technologies that work against many viruses, which could be the key to thwarting outbreaks in the future.

    • Nam Joon Cho
    •  & Jeffrey S. Glenn
  • Why it Matters |

    Laura Benzonana and Nikos Sgantzis reflect on their experience as organizers for Pint of Science in Greece.

    • Laura Benzonana
    •  & Nikolaos Sgantzis
  • Editorial |

    As the negotiation deadline approaches, the impact of Brexit on research in the United Kingdom is already being felt.

  • Editorial |

    Creativity in science seems to have evolved over the centuries from mainly a solitary effort to a more collaborative one.

  • Q&A |

    Pierluigi Barrotta shares with Nature Materials his views on the relationship between science and society.

    • Maria Maragkou
  • Editorial |

    We are launching a new column to talk about science with our readers from a broader perspective. Our first topic is mental health in academia.

  • Why it Matters |

    Donata Iandolo and Gonçalo Silva on the need for an open discussion on mental health in academia.

    • Donata Iandolo
    •  & Gonçalo Silva
  • Q&A |

    Nian Sun, a professor at Northeastern University (Electrical and Computer Engineering Department), talks to Nature Materials about the potential applications of multiferroic materials, and issues associated with commercializing these technologies.

    • Stephen Shevlin
  • Editorial |

    There is room for improvement in materials sustainability, provided we examine carefully the whole value chain.

  • Editorial |

    Highly sophisticated materials properties and engineering efforts are crucial for the success of missions for space exploration and settlement.

  • Comment |

    Space missions require materials that can preserve functional integrity under extreme conditions of heat, impact and radiation. This Comment outlines the materials properties needed for some of the most ambitious space missions and presents the design and testing principles before their incorporation.

    • Tommaso Ghidini
  • Editorial |

    Lessons learnt from Horizon 2020 and a determination to become a world-class hub for entrepreneurship form the basis of the European Commission’s ambitious Research and Innovation budget.

  • Perspective |

    This Perspective explores the optical, mechanical and thermal properties required to successfully design an ultralight spacecraft that can reach Proxima Centauri b, which is the goal of the Starshot Breakthrough Initiative.

    • Harry A. Atwater
    • , Artur R. Davoyan
    •  & Joeson Wong
  • Comment |

    Solar cells based on metal halide perovskites continue to approach their theoretical performance limits thanks to worldwide research efforts. Mastering the materials properties and addressing stability may allow this technology to bring profound transformations to the electric power generation industry.

    • Henry J. Snaith
  • Editorial |

    US research funding sees both winners and losers as the Trump administration outlines its agenda.

  • Editorial |

    Materials research in Africa can contribute to addressing global challenges by tapping into a growing number of talented scientists.

  • News & Views |

    The resource-rich continent of Africa is showing signs of significant progress in materials science research and is harnessing a plethora of human and material resources to tackle a wide range of challenges.

    • Benjamin S. Hsiao
    • , Samuel Chigome
    •  & Nelson Torto
  • Editorial |

    Art historians have joined forces with material scientists in order to better understand the objects of interest but also develop better conservation treatments and preservation approaches.

  • Interview |

    Carl Heron and Joanne Dyer from the British Museum in London talk to Nature Materials about the research activities at the museum and how scientists can impact cultural heritage.

    • Maria Maragkou
  • Editorial |

    Nature Materials is extending editorial policies regarding transparency of reported data in manuscripts from the physical and life sciences.