Archive: Materials
Materials 2008 Research Highlights
DNA hydrogels: Fishy fluorescence this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 17 December 2008 | doi:110.1038/nchina.2008.297
Original article citation:
et al. Fluorescent DNA–poly(phenylenevinylene) hybrid hydrogels for monitoring drug release. Chem. Commun. doi:10.1039/b817788k (2008).
Top of pagePhotonic crystals: Labelled spheres
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 10 December 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.288
Original article citation:
et al. Encoded porous beads for label-free multiplex detection of tumor markers. Adv. Mater. doi:10.1002/adma.200802339 (2008).
Top of pagePhase transitions: Activated by carbon dioxide this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 10 December 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.291
Original article citation:
, , , & Reversible switching of lamellar liquid crystals into micellar solutions using CO2. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. doi:10.1002/anie.200803753 (2008).
Top of pageLaser ablation: Carving colours
Tim Reid
Published online: 10 December 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.292
Original article citation:
, , , & Large area uniform nanostructures fabricated by direct femtosecond laser ablation. Opt. Express 16, 19354–19365 (2008).
Top of pageMolecular machines: Rotor brigade this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 03 December 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.284
Original article citation:
et al. Constructing an array of anchored single-molecule rotors on gold surfaces. Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 197209 (2008).
Top of pageSuperconductivity: New parents
Tim Reid
Published online: 03 December 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.285
Original article citation:
, , , & SrFeAsF as a parent compound for iron pnictide superconductors. Phys. Rev. B 78, 180503 (2008).
Top of pageNanoassemblies: Controlled stains
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 26 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.279
Original article citation:
et al. Ordered gold nanostructure assemblies formed by droplet evaporation. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. doi:10.1002/anie.200803642 (2008).
Top of pageSupercapacitors: Foam success this content is Open !
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 26 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.280
Original article citation:
, & Electrodeposited nickel hydroxide on nickel foam with ultrahigh capacitance. Chem. Commun. doi:10.1039/b815647f (2008).
Top of pageCarbon nanotubes: Loud and clear! this content is Open !
Ai Lin Chun
Published online: 19 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.271
Original article citation:
et al. Flexible, stretchable, transparent carbon nanotube thin film loudspeakers. Nano Lett. doi:10.1021/nl802750z (2008).
Top of pageSilk fibres: Spinning a line
Tim Reid
Published online: 19 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.272
Original article citation:
, , , & Silk fibers extruded artificially from aqueous solutions of regenerated Bombyx mori silk fibroin are tougher than their natural counterparts. Adv. Mater. doi:10.1002/adma.200800582 (2008).
Top of pageFullerenes: Building with boron
Tim Reid
Published online: 19 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.274
Original article citation:
, , , & Family of boron fullerenes: General constructing schemes, electron counting rule, and ab initio calculations. Phys. Rev. B 78, 201401 (2008).
Top of pageCarbon nanotubes: Domino drive this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 05 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.260
Original article citation:
Dominoes in carbon nanotubes. Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 175501 (2008).
Top of pageNanofibres: Bright belts
Tim Reid
Published online: 05 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.261
Original article citation:
et al. Preparation and luminescence properties of YVO4:Ln and Y(V, P)O4:Ln (Ln = Eu3+, Sm3+, Dy3+) nanofibers and microbelts by sol–gel/electrospinning process. Chem. Mater. doi: 10.1021/cm801538t (2008).
Top of pageNanoparticles: A star for catalysis
Tim Reid
Published online: 05 November 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.262
Original article citation:
, , , & Shape-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles in deep eutectic solvents for studies of structure–functionality relationships in electrocatalysis. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. doi: 10.1002/anie.200803202 (2008).
Top of pageNanotubes: Look what hatched!
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 22 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.249
Original article citation:
, , , & Egg albumin as a nanoreactor for growing single-crystalline Fe3O4 nanotubes with high yields. Chem. Commun. doi: 10.1039/b813071j (2008).
Top of pageSupramolecular chemistry: Natural order
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 22 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.250
Original article citation:
et al. One- or semi-two-dimensional organic nanocrystals induced by directional supramolecular interactions. J. Phys. Chem. C doi: 10.1021/jp803572f (2008).
Top of pageSpintronics: Finding the better half
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 15 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.244
Original article citation:
et al. Novel one-dimensional organometallic half metals: Vanadium-cyclopentadienyl, vanadium-cyclopentadienyl-benzene, and vanadium-anthracene wires. Nano Lett. doi: 10.1021/nl8016016 (2008).
Top of pageNanoparticles: Easy beadwork
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 08 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.237
Original article citation:
Metallic cation induced one–dimensional assembly of poly(acrylic acid)–1–dodecanethiol–stabilized gold nanoparticles. Langmuir doi: 10.1021/la802207m (2008).
Top of pageElectrospinning: Taking it to the third dimension this content is Open !
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 08 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.238
Original article citation:
Electrospinning of three–dimensional nanofibrous tubes with controllable architectures. Nano Lett. doi: 10.1021/nl801667s (2008).
Top of pageNanotubes: Confusing conduction this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 01 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.231
Original article citation:
Ab initio investigations of the transport properties of Haeckelite nanotubes. J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 20, 415207 (2008).
Top of pageLeft-handed materials: Different Dopplers
Tim Reid
Published online: 01 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.232
Original article citation:
et al. Rotational Doppler effect in left-handed materials. Phys. Rev. A 78, 033805 (2008).
Top of pageFullerenes: Symmetry breakers this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 24 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.221
Original article citation:
et al. Two Ih-symmetry-breaking C60 isomers stabilized by chlorination. Nature Mater. doi: 10.1038/nmat2275 (2008).
Top of pageHybrid materials: Well spread
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 24 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.223
Original article citation:
et al. Organic–inorganic nanohybrids via directly grafting gold nanoparticles onto conjugated copolymers through the Diels–Alder reaction. Langmuir doi: 10.1021/la8020639 (2008).
Top of pagePorous materials: Forced to order
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 24 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.224
Original article citation:
et al. A facile method for fabrication of ordered porous polymer films. Macromolecules doi: 10.1021/ma801417c (2008).
Top of pageElectrodeposition: Iron tiling
Tim Reid
Published online: 10 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.212
Original article citation:
et al. The creation of nanostructures on an Au(111) electrode by tip-induced iron deposition from an ionic liquid. Small doi: 10.1002/smll.200800037 (2008).
Top of pageNanowires: Boosting batteries
Tim Reid
Published online: 10 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.213
Original article citation:
, , & Silicon nanowires for rechargeable lithium-ion battery anodes. Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 033105 (2008).
Top of pageOptics: Splitter with a twist this content is Open !
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 03 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.207
Original article citation:
Ultracompact photonic coupling splitters twisted by PTT nanowires. Nano Lett. doi: 10.1021/nl8014507 (2008).
Top of pageGraphene: Ribbons made easy
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 03 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.208
Original article citation:
Turning PMMA nanofibers into graphene nanoribbons by in situ electron beam irradiation. Adv. Mater. doi: 10.1002/adma.200702149 (2008).
Top of pageBiosensors: Infiltrate to enhance
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 27 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.201
Original article citation:
et al. Ultrasensitive DNA detection using photonic crystals. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. doi: 10.1002/anie.200801998 (2008).
Top of pageGraphene: Thickness detector
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 27 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.202
Original article citation:
Total color difference for rapid and accurate identification of graphene. ACS Nano doi: 10.1021/nn800307s (2008).
Top of pageOptical sensors: Small but versatile
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 20 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.192
Original article citation:
Polymer single-nanowire optical sensors. Nano Lett. doi: 10.1021/nl8012314 (2008).
Top of pageRecycling: From computers to park benches this content is Open !
Jane Qiu
Published online: 20 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.194
Original article citation:
A plate produced by nonmetallic materials of pulverized waste printed circuits boards. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42, 5267–5271 (2008).
Top of pageNanotubes: Amazing actuators
Tim Reid
Published online: 13 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.187
Original article citation:
Electrothermal actuation based on carbon nanotube network in silicone elastomer. Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 263104 (2008).
Top of pageNanostructures: Metal loses its shine
Tim Reid
Published online: 13 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.188
Original article citation:
Ultra-broadband enhanced absorption of metal surfaces structured by femtosecond laser pulses. Opt. Express 16, 11259–11265 (2008).
Top of pageSolar cells: A solid prospect
Vicki Cleave
Published online: 13 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.189
Original article citation:
et al. High-performance dye-sensitized solar cells based on solvent-free electrolytes produced from eutectic melts. Nature Mater. 7, 626–630 (2008).
Top of pageOptical devices: Window replacement this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 06 August 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.181
Original article citation:
Transformation media that turn a narrow slit into a large window. Opt. Express 16, 11764–11768 (2008).
Top of pageNanostructures: Growing vines
Ai Lin Chun
Published online: 30 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.173
Original article citation:
et al. Polarization driven covalently-bonded octahedral-twinning and backbone-peripheral-helical nanoarchitectures. Nano Lett. doi: 10.1021/nl080880w (2008).
Top of pagePhotonics: Slowing down light
Rachel Won
Published online: 30 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.176
Original article citation:
Slow light in a dielectric waveguide with negative-refractive-index photonic crystal cladding. Opt. Express 16, 11077–11082 (2008).
Top of pageCarbon nanotubes: From stress to strength
Felix Cheung
Published online: 23 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.171
Original article citation:
Enhanced mechanical properties of prestressed multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Small 4, 733–737 (2008).
Top of pageAtomic force microscopy: Here's a tip
Felix Cheung
Published online: 16 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.161
Original article citation:
et al. Sequential electrochemical oxidation and site-selective growth of nanoparticles onto AFM probes. Langmuir doi: 10.1021/la800380p (2008).
Top of pageHigh-temperature superconductivity: Warmer than expected
Tim Reid
Published online: 16 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.163
Original article citation:
et al. Superconductivity at 41 K and its competition with spin-density-wave instability in layered CeO1-xFxFeAs. Phys. Rev. Lett 100, 247002 (2008).
Top of pageMolecular devices: Secured login this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 09 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.156
Original article citation:
et al. A fluorescent-switch-based computing platform in defending information risk. Chem. Eur. J. doi: 10.1002/chem.200800576 (2008).
Top of pageChlorofullerenes: Pineapples and planets this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 02 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.154
Original article citation:
et al. Crystal structures of Saturn-like C50Cl10 and pineapple-shaped C64Cl4: Geometric implications of double- and triple-pentagon-fused chlorofullerenes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. doi: 10.1002/anie.200800338 (2008).
Top of pageBiomimetics: A sound strategy this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 25 June 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.146
Original article citation:
Precision replication of hierarchical biological structures by metal oxides using a sonochemical method. Langmuir doi: 10.1021/la7037153 (2008).
Top of pageNanotomography: Crystal clear this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 25 June 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.147
Original article citation:
et al. Three-dimensional imaging of a complex concaved cuboctahedron copper sulfide crystal by x-ray nanotomography. Appl. Phys. Lett. 92 , 233104 (2008).
Top of pageOrganometallic superstructures: From wires to wheels
Anne Pichon
Published online: 18 June 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.137
Original article citation:
A submicrometer wire-to-wheel metamorphism of hybrid tridentate cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. doi: 10.1002/anie.200704450 (2008).
Top of pageHigh-temperature superconductivity: Upped by a good samarium
Felix Cheung
Published online: 18 June 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.139
Original article citation:
et al. Superconductivity at 43 K in SmFeAsO1-xFx. Nature 453, 761–762 (2008).
Top of pageData storage: Remembering resistance
Tim Reid
Published online: 11 June 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.134
Original article citation:
et al. Bipolar switching behavior in TiN/ZnO/Pt resistive non-volatile memory with fast switching and long retention. Semicond. Sci. Technol. 23, 075019 (2008).
Top of pageSuperhydrophobic materials: The petal effect
Felix Cheung
Published online: 14 May 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.107
Original article citation:
et al. Petal effect: A superhydrophobic state with high adhesive force. Langmuir 24, 4114–4119 (2008).
Top of pageCarbon nanotubes: Tiny hydroelectric power converters this content is Open !
Ai Lin Chun
Published online: 07 May 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.100
Original article citation:
et al. Individual water-filled single-walled carbon nanotubes as hydroelectric power converters. Adv. Mater. doi: 10.1002/adma.200702956 (2008).
Top of pageNanowires: Small and organic
Felix Cheung
Published online: 07 May 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.106
Original article citation:
Nanowire waveguides and ultraviolet lasers based on small organic molecules. Adv. Mater. doi: 10.1002/adma.200800123 (2008).
Top of pageHigh-temperature superconductivity: Mysterious couplings this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 16 April 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.82
Original article citation:
et al. Identification of a new form of electron coupling in the Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 superconductor by laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 107002 (2008).
Top of pageDiatomic solids: Distortion under pressure
Wei Zeng
Published online: 16 April 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.86
Original article citation:
et al. A new phase of solid iodine with different molecular covalent bonds. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 105, 4999–5001 (2008).
Top of pageCarbon nanotubes: Body build-up
Felix Cheung
Published online: 09 April 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.76
Original article citation:
et al. Biodistribution of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes in vivo. J. Phys. Chem. C 111, 17761–17764 (2007).
Top of pageMetallic glasses: Flex space
Felix Cheung
Published online: 26 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.65
Original article citation:
et al. New class of plastic bulk metallic glass. Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 075501 (2008).
Top of pageCobalt microcrystals: Flower power
Tim Reid
Published online: 19 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.60
Original article citation:
Synthesis of flower-like Co microcrystals composed of Co nanoplates in water/ethanol mixed solvent. J. Phys. D 41, 065004 (2008).
Top of pageOrganic–inorganic hybrids: Connecting hand in hand
Wei Zeng
Published online: 19 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.62
Original article citation:
et al. Unprecedented replacement of bridging oxygen atoms in polyoxometalates with organic imido ligands. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. doi: 10.1002/anie.200704546 (2008).
Top of pageHeterometallic clusters: Making Russian dolls
Wei Zeng
Published online: 12 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.53
Original article citation:
et al. A four-shell, nesting doll-like 3d–4f cluster containing 108 metal ions. Angew. Chem. Int. Edn doi: 10.1002/anie.200705731 (2008).
Top of pageShape-memory alloys: Filling the gaps this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 12 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.55
Original article citation:
Self-repairing performance of concrete beams strengthened using superelastic SMA wires in combination with adhesives released from hollow fibres. Smart Mater. Struct. 17, 025020 (2008).
Top of pageVascular system: Build your own blood vessels
Felix Cheung
Published online: 05 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.48
Original article citation:
Rapid prototyping of polyurethane for the creation of vascular systems. J. Bioactive Compatible Polym. 23, 103–113 (2008).
Top of pageAcoustic metamaterials: Sound investment
Tim Reid
Published online: 05 March 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.49
Original article citation:
Far-field image magnification for acoustic waves using anisotropic acoustic materials. Phys. Rev. E 77, 025601 (2008).
Top of pageLight-emitting diodes: All wired-up
Anne Pichon
Published online: 27 February 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.40
Original article citation:
et al. Enhancing the performance of polymer light-emitting diodes by integrating self-assembled organic nanowires. Adv. Mater. doi: 10.1002/adma.200702591 (2008).
Top of pageLogic gates: Metals make a point or two
Felix Cheung
Published online: 27 February 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.42
Original article citation:
et al. An all-metallic logic gate based on current-driven domain wall motion. Nature Nanotech. doi: 10.1038/nnano.2008.1 (2008).
Top of pageMetamaterials: Hiding from a different world
Tim Reid
Published online: 20 February 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.35
Original article citation:
et al. Cloak for multilayered and gradually changing media. Phys. Rev. B 77, 035116 (2008).
Top of pageOptical switches: A new low this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 20 February 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.39
Original article citation:
Picosecond and low-power all-optical switching based on an organic photonic-bandgap microcavity. Nature Photon. doi: 10.1038/nphoton.2007.299 (2008).
Top of pageColour structures: Beetle blue this content is Open !
Tim Reid
Published online: 06 February 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.30
Original article citation:
et al. Inconspicuous structural coloration in the elytra of beetles Chlorophila obscuripennis (Coleoptera). Phys. Rev. E 77, 012901 (2008).
Top of pageQuantum confinement: Cold control
Tim Reid
Published online: 30 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.23
Original article citation:
et al. Manipulating the Kondo resonance through quantum size effects. Phys. Rev. Lett. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.256601 (2007).
Top of pageShape-memory polymers: Made in chain
Felix Cheung
Published online: 30 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.24
Original article citation:
et al. Electrical conductivity of thermoresponsive shape-memory polymer with embedded micron sized Ni powder chains. Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 014104 (2008).
Top of pagePorous assemblies: One of a kind
Anne Pichon
Published online: 23 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.13
Original article citation:
et al. Self-assembly of a homochiral nanoscale metallacycle from a metallosalen complex for enantioselective separation. Angew. Chem. Int. Edn doi: 10.1002/anie.200704347 (2008).
Top of pageHollow nanostructures: Silver lining
Tim Reid
Published online: 23 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.15
Original article citation:
Synthesis of hollow silver nanostructures by a simple strategy. Nanotechnol. 19, 045607 (2008).
Top of pageZinc nanowire: Easy wiring
Wei Zeng
Published online: 16 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.10
Original article citation:
A shortcut hydrothermal strategy for the synthesis of zinc nanowires. J. Phys. D 41, 032004 (2008).
Top of pageBoron nanotubes: Rolling metals into semiconductors
Wei Zeng
Published online: 16 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.9
Original article citation:
Ab initio prediction of stable boron sheets and boron nanotubes: Structure, stability, and electronic properties. Phys. Rev. B 77, 041402(R) (2008).
Top of pageMetallic glasses: Finding the right cast
Wei Zeng
Published online: 10 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2007.287
Original article citation:
Prediction of glass-forming ability of metallic liquids. Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 221910 (2007).
Top of pageFluorescent probes: A bright encoding strategy
Anne Pichon
Published online: 10 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.1
Original article citation:
et al. Fluorescent core–shell silica nanoparticles as tunable precursors: Towards encoding and multifunctional nanoprobes. Chem. Commun. doi: 10.1039/b717038f (2007).
Top of pageOrganogels: Set in sound this content is Open !
Felix Cheung
Published online: 10 January 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.6
Original article citation:
et al. Ultrasound switch and thermal self-repair of morphology and surface wettability in a cholesterol-based self-assembly system. Angew. Chem. Int. Edn doi: 10.1002/anie.200703946 (2007).
Top of page
