Nature Materials Nature Materials is multi-disciplinary journal aimed at bringing together cutting-edge research across the entire spectrum of materials science and engineering. Every month Nature Materials publishes original top-quality materials research, reviews and a compelling mix of commentaries and news and views articles, in print and online. http://www.nature.com/nmat/current_issue/ Nature Publishing Group en © 2008 Nature Publishing Group Nature Materials 1476-1122 1476-4660 © 2008 Nature Publishing Group permissions@nature.com Nature Materials http://www.nature.com/includes/rj_globnavimages/nmat_logo.gif http://www.nature.com/nmat/ A new approach for science http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2322 Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election is good news for researchers. A new approach for science

Nature Materials 7, 923 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2322

Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election is good news for researchers.

]]> A new approach for science doi:10.1038/nmat2322 Nature Materials 7, 923 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 Editorial 923 923 Nanopores, nanomotors, negative refraction... http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2323 Nanopores, nanomotors, negative refraction...

Nature Materials 7, 925 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2323

]]> Nanopores, nanomotors, negative refraction... doi:10.1038/nmat2323 Nature Materials 7, 925 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 Research Highlights 925 925 Material witness: Juggling with liquids http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2320 Material witness: Juggling with liquids

Nature Materials 7, 928 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2320

Author: Philip Ball

]]> Material witness: Juggling with liquids Philip Ball doi:10.1038/nmat2320 Nature Materials 7, 928 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 News and Views 928 928 Glass and mineral corrosion: Dynamics and durability http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2326 The durability of glasses and minerals in water has traditionally been predicted using models that ignore the molecular details. Now the surface structure dynamics are shown to play an integral role in their aqueous corrosion. Glass and mineral corrosion: Dynamics and durability

Nature Materials 7, 930 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2326

Author: William H. Casey

The durability of glasses and minerals in water has traditionally been predicted using models that ignore the molecular details. Now the surface structure dynamics are shown to play an integral role in their aqueous corrosion.

]]> Glass and mineral corrosion: Dynamics and durability William H. Casey doi:10.1038/nmat2326 Nature Materials 7, 930 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 News and Views 930 932 Iron-based superconductors: Unity or diversity? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2325 Does the high-temperature superconductivity observed in the newly discovered iron pnictides represent another example of the same essential physics responsible for superconductivity in the cuprates, or does it embody a new mechanism? Iron-based superconductors: Unity or diversity?

Nature Materials 7, 927 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2325

Authors: Steven A. Kivelson & Hong Yao

Does the high-temperature superconductivity observed in the newly discovered iron pnictides represent another example of the same essential physics responsible for superconductivity in the cuprates, or does it embody a new mechanism?

]]> Iron-based superconductors: Unity or diversity? Steven A. Kivelson Hong Yao doi:10.1038/nmat2325 Nature Materials 7, 927 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 News and Views 927 928 Polymer dynamics: Floored by the rings http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2324 The tube model can explain how mutually entangled polymer chains move and interact, but it relies on the loose ends of chains to generate relaxation. Ring polymers have no ends — so how do they relax? Polymer dynamics: Floored by the rings

Nature Materials 7, 933 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2324

Author: Tom McLeish

The tube model can explain how mutually entangled polymer chains move and interact, but it relies on the loose ends of chains to generate relaxation. Ring polymers have no ends — so how do they relax?

]]> Polymer dynamics: Floored by the rings Tom McLeish doi:10.1038/nmat2324 Nature Materials 7, 933 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 News and Views 933 935 Superconductivity: Squash and sandwiches http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2327 Externally applied pressure induces superconductivity in the layer compound 1T-TaS2. Similarities to, and differences from, other superconducting systems promise exciting future experiments on this old, but suddenly rejuvenated, compound. Superconductivity: Squash and sandwiches

Nature Materials 7, 929 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2327

Author: Erio Tosatti

Externally applied pressure induces superconductivity in the layer compound 1T-TaS2. Similarities to, and differences from, other superconducting systems promise exciting future experiments on this old, but suddenly rejuvenated, compound.

]]> Superconductivity: Squash and sandwiches Erio Tosatti doi:10.1038/nmat2327 Nature Materials 7, 929 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 News and Views 929 930 Tissue engineering: Polymers flex their muscles http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2328 Accordion-like honeycomb scaffolds support the formation of anisotropically contracting heart tissue in vitro, opening up possibilities in the area of cardiac tissue repair. Tissue engineering: Polymers flex their muscles

Nature Materials 7, 932 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2328

Author: Wolfram-Hubertus Zimmermann

Accordion-like honeycomb scaffolds support the formation of anisotropically contracting heart tissue in vitro, opening up possibilities in the area of cardiac tissue repair.

]]> Tissue engineering: Polymers flex their muscles Wolfram-Hubertus Zimmermann doi:10.1038/nmat2328 Nature Materials 7, 932 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 News and Views 932 933 Crystal structure prediction from first principles http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2321 Crystal structure prediction from first principles

Nature Materials 7, 937 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2321

Authors: Scott M. Woodley & Richard Catlow

]]> Crystal structure prediction from first principles Scott M. Woodley Richard Catlow doi:10.1038/nmat2321 Nature Materials 7, 937 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 Review 937 946 Insight into silicate-glass corrosion mechanisms http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2301 Understanding the corrosion mechanism of aqueous silicate glass is crucial for the long-term durability of nuclear waste glasses. This mechanism is generally thought to be associated with chemical affinity, but it is now demonstrated that morphological transformations also have an important role in the leaching kinetics of these glasses. Insight into silicate-glass corrosion mechanisms

Nature Materials 7, 978 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2301

Authors: Céline Cailleteau, Frédéric Angeli, François Devreux, Stéphane Gin, Jacques Jestin, Patrick Jollivet & Olivier Spalla

]]> Insight into silicate-glass corrosion mechanisms Céline Cailleteau Frédéric Angeli François Devreux Stéphane Gin Jacques Jestin Patrick Jollivet Olivier Spalla doi:10.1038/nmat2301 Nature Materials 7, 978 (2008) 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 7 12 Article 978 983 Accordion-like honeycombs for tissue engineering of cardiac anisotropy http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2316 Construction of tissue-engineering scaffolds that mimic cardiac anisotropy is a challenge. Now, accordion-like honeycomb scaffolds have been created that can form tissue grafts with preferentially aligned heart cells, and with mechanical properties that closely resemble the anisotropy of native myocardium. Accordion-like honeycombs for tissue engineering of cardiac anisotropy

Nature Materials 7, 1003 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2316

Authors: George C. Engelmayr, Mingyu Cheng, Christopher J. Bettinger, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Robert Langer & Lisa E. Freed

]]> Accordion-like honeycombs for tissue engineering of cardiac anisotropy George C. Engelmayr Mingyu Cheng Christopher J. Bettinger Jeffrey T. Borenstein Robert Langer Lisa E. Freed doi:10.1038/nmat2316 Nature Materials 7, 1003 (2008) 2008-11-02 Nature Materials 2008-11-02 7 12 Article 1003 1010 Hierarchical nanofabrication of microporous crystals with ordered mesoporosity http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2302 Zeolite nanocrystals with three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous structures are important for designing molecularly accessible and selective catalysts. With a single zeolite synthesis procedure, uniform nanocrystals and crystal zeolites with ordered imprinted mesoporosity can now be obtained. Hierarchical nanofabrication of microporous crystals with ordered mesoporosity

Nature Materials 7, 984 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2302

Authors: Wei Fan, Mark A. Snyder, Sandeep Kumar, Pyung-Soo Lee, Won Cheol Yoo, Alon V. McCormick, R. Lee Penn, Andreas Stein & Michael Tsapatsis

]]> Hierarchical nanofabrication of microporous crystals with ordered mesoporosity Wei Fan Mark A. Snyder Sandeep Kumar Pyung-Soo Lee Won Cheol Yoo Alon V. McCormick R. Lee Penn Andreas Stein Michael Tsapatsis doi:10.1038/nmat2302 Nature Materials 7, 984 (2008) 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 7 12 Article 984 991 Unexpected power-law stress relaxation of entangled ring polymers http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2292 How do entangled polymer rings relax? Linear polymers can ease their stress because their chains have ends, but cyclic polymers do not. Even trace amounts of linear chains dominate the mechanical properties if present as impurities. Investigation of carefully purified ring polymers reveals they exhibit self-similar dynamics and a power-law stress relaxation. Unexpected power-law stress relaxation of entangled ring polymers

Nature Materials 7, 997 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2292

Authors: M. Kapnistos, M. Lang, D. Vlassopoulos, W. Pyckhout-Hintzen, D. Richter, D. Cho, T. Chang & M. Rubinstein

]]> Unexpected power-law stress relaxation of entangled ring polymers M. Kapnistos M. Lang D. Vlassopoulos W. Pyckhout-Hintzen D. Richter D. Cho T. Chang M. Rubinstein doi:10.1038/nmat2292 Nature Materials 7, 997 (2008) 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 7 12 Article 997 1002 A map for phase-change materials http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2330 Phase-change materials are widely used as non-volatile memories, for example in optical data storage, but the search for improved phase-change materials has proved difficult. Based on a fundamental understanding of their bonding characteristics, a systematic prediction of phase-change properties has now become possible. A map for phase-change materials

Nature Materials 7, 972 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2330

Authors: Dominic Lencer, Martin Salinga, Blazej Grabowski, Tilmann Hickel, Jörg Neugebauer & Matthias Wuttig

]]> A map for phase-change materials Dominic Lencer Martin Salinga Blazej Grabowski Tilmann Hickel Jörg Neugebauer Matthias Wuttig doi:10.1038/nmat2330 Nature Materials 7, 972 (2008) 2008-11-16 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 7 12 Article 972 977 Electronic two-terminal bistable graphitic memories http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2331 Carbon-based structures are being intensively investigated for their use in electronic devices. A pronounced non-volatile switching is now observed in two-terminal devices made from graphitic sheets. The highly reliable switching mechanism is explained by the local breaking and rejoining of atomic bonds in the sheets. Electronic two-terminal bistable graphitic memories

Nature Materials 7, 966 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2331

Authors: Yubao Li, Alexander Sinitskii & James M. Tour

]]> Electronic two-terminal bistable graphitic memories Yubao Li Alexander Sinitskii James M. Tour doi:10.1038/nmat2331 Nature Materials 7, 966 (2008) 2008-11-16 Nature Materials 2008-11-16 7 12 Article 966 971 Ultrahigh stress and strain in hierarchically structured hollow nanoparticles http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2295 Nanocrystalline materials usually exhibit high strength and their deformation caused by stress is limited. Nanocrystalline CdS with spherical and hierarchical shell geometry is shown not only to withstand extreme stresses, but also to deform considerably before failure. Ultrahigh stress and strain in hierarchically structured hollow nanoparticles

Nature Materials 7, 947 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2295

Authors: Z. W. Shan, G. Adesso, A. Cabot, M. P. Sherburne, S. A. Syed Asif, O. L. Warren, D. C. Chrzan, A. M. Minor & A. P. Alivisatos

]]> Ultrahigh stress and strain in hierarchically structured hollow nanoparticles Z. W. Shan G. Adesso A. Cabot M. P. Sherburne S. A. Syed Asif O. L. Warren D. C. Chrzan A. M. Minor A. P. Alivisatos doi:10.1038/nmat2295 Nature Materials 7, 947 (2008) 2008-10-19 Nature Materials 2008-10-19 7 12 Article 947 952 From Mott state to superconductivity in 1T-TaS2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2318 Superconductivity is a complex and fascinating phenomenon, made more so by its coexistence with other collective electronic states. A study of the layered compound 1T-TaS2 under pressure enables the various states of the material to be investigated and compared with other commonly studied layered superconductors. From Mott state to superconductivity in 1T-TaS2

Nature Materials 7, 960 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2318

Authors: B. Sipos, A. F. Kusmartseva, A. Akrap, H. Berger, L. Forró & E. Tutiš

]]> From Mott state to superconductivity in 1T-TaS2 B. Sipos A. F. Kusmartseva A. Akrap H. Berger L. Forró E. Tutiš doi:10.1038/nmat2318 Nature Materials 7, 960 (2008) 2008-11-09 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 7 12 Article 960 965 Single-molecule nanocatalysis reveals heterogeneous reaction pathways and catalytic dynamics http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2319 Nanomaterials are effective catalysts for many chemical reactions, however, their catalytic properties are most often determined by ensembles of nanoparticles, and so far only averaged results have been measured. Now, the heterogeneous reactivity and the surface structure dynamics of individual gold nanoparticles are revealed by monitoring single fluorogenic reactions. Single-molecule nanocatalysis reveals heterogeneous reaction pathways and catalytic dynamics

Nature Materials 7, 992 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2319

Authors: Weilin Xu, Jason S. Kong, Yun-Ting E. Yeh & Peng Chen

]]> Single-molecule nanocatalysis reveals heterogeneous reaction pathways and catalytic dynamics Weilin Xu Jason S. Kong Yun-Ting E. Yeh Peng Chen doi:10.1038/nmat2319 Nature Materials 7, 992 (2008) 2008-11-09 Nature Materials 2008-11-09 7 12 Article 992 996 Structural and magnetic phase diagram of CeFeAsO1− xFx and its relation to high-temperature superconductivity http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2315 According to a neutron-scattering study of the structural and magnetic properties of the pnictide CeFeAsO1−xFx, the phase diagram of this material shows considerable similarities with the high-Tc cuprate superconductors. These results are an important addition to the effort to find out where superconductivity in these iron–arsenic alloys arises. Structural and magnetic phase diagram of CeFeAsO1− xFx and its relation to high-temperature superconductivity

Nature Materials 7, 953 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2315

Authors: Jun Zhao, Q. Huang, Clarina de la Cruz, Shiliang Li, J. W. Lynn, Y. Chen, M. A. Green, G. F. Chen, G. Li, Z. Li, J. L. Luo, N. L. Wang & Pengcheng Dai

]]> Structural and magnetic phase diagram of CeFeAsO1− xFx and its relation to high-temperature superconductivity Jun Zhao Q. Huang Clarina de la Cruz Shiliang Li J. W. Lynn Y. Chen M. A. Green G. F. Chen G. Li Z. Li J. L. Luo N. L. Wang Pengcheng Dai doi:10.1038/nmat2315 Nature Materials 7, 953 (2008) 2008-10-26 Nature Materials 2008-10-26 7 12 Article 953 959 Let the Sun shine http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat2337 Let the Sun shine

Nature Materials 7, 935 (2008). doi:10.1038/nmat2337

]]> Let the Sun shine doi:10.1038/nmat2337 Nature Materials 7, 935 (2008) Nature Materials 7 12 Erratum 935 935