Nature Materials - Current issue : January 2009 - Vol 8 No 1
- Plasticity in crumpling
- Economic crisis: Innovation is crucial
- Magnetic dots: A shell full of holes
- Biomaterials: The physical side
Latest content
Current issue
The financial crisis and global recession are threatening research budgets. At the same time, we cannot afford to ignore the coming dangers from the continuing crises in energy and climate. More, not less innovation is needed.
Current issue
The physical properties of biomaterials
Review by Mitragotri and LahannThe design of biomaterials has traditionally taken into consideration the material's chemical properties. Now, the influence of their physical properties, such as size, shape, mechanical properties, surface texture and compartilization, is becoming more apparent. The significance of these parameters in biological systems and applications is discussed.
Current issue
Magnetic dots
Article by Bussian et al.Manipulating the properties of semiconducting nanostructures through magnetic doping can lead to interesting fundamental phenomena, as well as potential spintronics or memory devices. The demonstration that the magnetic properties of Mn-doped ZnSe dots can be tuned by adjusting the thickness of a CdSe shell represents a fundamental advance in the field.
Current issue
Plasticity and crumpling
Letter by Tallinen et al.Bridging the gap between theoretical and experimental work to understand the effect of plasticity on the crumpling of thin sheets into a small volume has proved difficult. A realistic numerical model now makes a distinction between elastic and elasto-plastic behaviour.
Current issue
Polymer memories
Artilce by Hu et al.Ferroelectric polymers are of interest for use as memory devices for all-organic electronics applications. A fast and efficient embossing technology is now shown not only to lead to high-density arrays of ferroelectric nanocells but also to significantly improve the ferroelectric properties of these structures.
Current issue
Hydrogen photosynthesis
Article by Wang et al.Hydrogen generated from splitting water using a catalyst and solar energy is an ideal energy source. A polymeric carbon nitride photocatalyst that is thermally and chemically stable is now shown to produce hydrogen from water even in the absence of noble metal catalysts.
