Editorial |
Featured
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Why it Matters |
Understanding scientists is key for science
Stuart Higgins reflects on his experience as both a scientist and a producer of the podcast Scientists not the Science.
- Stuart G. Higgins
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Q&A |
The bigger picture
Pierluigi Barrotta shares with Nature Materials his views on the relationship between science and society.
- Maria Maragkou
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Feature |
Produce and use with care
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Editorial |
A sustainable material world
By considering the environmental impact of materials through their whole life cycle, materials scientists can help develop more sustainable alternatives.
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Feature |
Towards sustainable concrete
Paulo J. M. Monteiro, Sabbie A. Miller and Arpad Horvath provide an overview of the challenges and accomplishments in reducing the environmental burden of concrete production.
- Paulo J. M. Monteiro
- , Sabbie A. Miller
- & Arpad Horvath
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Commentary |
Environmental life-cycle assessment
Concerns about the planet's health call for a careful evaluation of the environmental impact of materials choices. Life-cycle assessment is a tool that can help identify sustainable materials pathways by considering the burdens of materials both during production and as a product.
- Randolph E. Kirchain Jr
- , Jeremy R. Gregory
- & Elsa A. Olivetti
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Perspective |
The path towards sustainable energy
This Perspective provides an overview of the contributions of materials science to a sustainable energy future, and discusses possible regulatory paths to support this transition.
- Steven Chu
- , Yi Cui
- & Nian Liu
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Feature |
China's mark on materials
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Editorial |
Driving a materials economy
Materials research has long been highly active in China and could offer advanced technologies to boost the economy.
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Editorial |
Rethink your gender attitudes
Unconscious biases are a roadblock for gender equality in science.
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Editorial |
The road ahead for research in Greece
Underfunding, chronic structural deficiencies and lack of proper evaluation are acutely harming Greek science. The only way forward is to increase investment in human capital and infrastructure, coupled with organizational reforms and a change of government attitude towards research.
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Editorial |
Great expectations
The decision by the European Council to lower the expenditure ceiling for the next seven-year framework programme comes during a time of great debate on the distribution of research funding. The selection of two flagship projects that will each receive €500 million over the next decade raises further questions.
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Editorial |
Four more years of blood, sweat and tears
President Obama's re-election was welcome news to many scientists — but it won't release the fiscal vice that's taking a grip of US research spending.
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Editorial |
La méthode Hollande
François Hollande, the new French president, has an opportunity to correct and consolidate five years of frantic research reforms under Nicolas Sarkozy.
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Editorial |
Horizon 2020
The next European Union funding scheme, which is pending European Council and Parliament approval by summer 2013, will be dedicated to both research and innovation.
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Editorial |
The scientific marketplace
To ensure that their work gets the funding and the attention it deserves, scientists need to engage with different stakeholders. Concepts from marketing could help them increase the impact of their efforts.
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Commentary |
One-click science marketing
Strong competition and funding squeezes require scientists to look for ways to increase their profile and impact within and beyond the scientific community. Online tools and services can help them communicate and publicize their research more effectively.
- Martin Fenner
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Editorial |
Not a clear cut
Facing budget cuts, the UK's research councils are forced to make unpopular choices. Effective consultations should guide decisions.
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Editorial |
Budgeting for the long run
As the United States Congress confronts budgeting challenges, whether federal funding of scientific research is perceived as an investment or a discretionary expense will have long-term consequences.
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Editorial |
Mexico must do more
Mexico is a country rich with natural resources and an educated workforce. Yet its scientific output remains below its potential. In this focus issue we try to highlight some of Mexico's structural problems.
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Commentary |
Science and technology in Mexico
Mexico's economy is doing relatively well, but its science is chronically under-supported and the country's technological dependence is increasing rapidly. Without a strong science and technology base, the nation's future is at risk.
- Arturo Menchaca-Rocha
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News & Views |
A big step for Ecuador
As the First International Nanotechnology Congress hosted in Quito clearly corroborated, Ecuador is betting on nanotechnology as one of its proposed key investment areas. It is now up to decision-makers to make it happen.
- Mauricio Terrones
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Editorial |
A matter of choice
The United Kingdom's tough budget for science may force researchers to pick winners and losers. But can it work?
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Editorial |
Ready for the best
The large investments in research and education made in recent years have provided Brazilian scientists with the conditions to achieve scientific excellence.
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Interview |
Exciting times for Brazilian science
Sergio Machado Rezende has served for 5 years as the Minister for Science and Technology of Brazil. Nature Materials has asked him about the past and future of science in his country.
- Fabio Pulizzi
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Commentary |
Brazilian science towards a phase transition
The historical trajectory of materials science in Brazil shows the fast establishment of a high-quality, sizeable and productive scientific community. It is now time for a change in attitude towards real innovation and excellence.
- Ado Jorio
- , Francisco César de Sá Barreto
- & Hélio Chacham
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Editorial |
Unite for science
If Europe wants to be at the forefront of scientific research it is essential for governments to find the means to improve collaboration and the distribution of innovation across Europe.