News & Views in 2017

DNA origami nanostructures were utilized to replicate a seed pattern that resulted in the growth of populations of nanostructures. Exponential growth could be controlled by environmental conditions depending on the preferential requirements of each population.

Quantitative analysis of colliding cell monolayers reveals surprising wave phenomena involving contractility, jamming and activation of epithelial cells.

High-mobility molecular crystals can be identified by considering only the sign and relative magnitude of the electronic coupling between neighbouring molecules. A map helps to explain experimental mobilities and to design promising materials.

A study demonstrates that controlled integrin binding on a biomaterial was capable of promoting vascular cell sprouting and formation of a non-leaky blood vessel network in a healthy and diseased state.

A pure electrical generation of magnetization through electrons' valley magnetic moment has been observed in a strained two-dimensional semiconductor.

In contrast with protocols reporting self-assembly of nanocrystals after synthesis, Pd nanocrystals rapidly form 3D micrometre-size superlattices during growth. The nanocrystals keep growing after assembly, tuning the size of the lattice.

Nanostructured films of organic semiconductors are now shown to enhance the Raman signal of probe molecules, paving the way to the realization of substrates for Raman spectroscopy with molecular selectivity.

A tuned oxide superlattice possesses two coexisting phases — one ferroelectric, the other with vortex order — which can be interconverted under electric field, changing material properties.

Plasmonic nanolasers embedded in living cells and animal tissues are shown to emit strongly, making them promising potential biocompatible probes.

Sound waves drive the organization of particle scatterers into stable structures, exhibiting phononic band gaps that heal from disturbances and adapt to changes in the drive.

Introducing high-density ordered nanoprecipitates into martensitic steel increases strength at modest cost.

Heat travelling down a thermal gradient has been found to undergo a significant deflection by a magnetic field in a multiferroic insulator.

Microporous membranes were designed from the loose packing of two-dimensional polymer chains — a breakthrough giving both ultrahigh permeability and good selectivity for gas separations.

Electrical injection into polaritons, built from admixing excitons in carbon nanotubes with light in a surrounding microcavity, has been achieved.

Large tensile pressure applied to the putative topological Kondo insulator SmB₆ results in an expansion of the lattice in all directions, and a huge increase in the temperature range over which surface-dominated conduction can be observed.

Exploring the minute mechanical deformations induced by electrical bias at the interface with electrolytes allows the identification of local crystallinity and distinguishing adsorption and intercalation of ions in electroactive polymers.