News & Comment

This two-dimensional crystal keeps playing a dominant role in physics and materials science.

Scott Chambers has worked on epitaxial oxide films for the past eighteen years. Nature Materials asked him about his view on high-temperature ferromagnetism in diluted magnetic oxides.

Nitin Samarth has extensive experience in studying the properties of (Ga,Mn)As. He told Nature Materials about the role that this compound has had in exploring the magnetic properties of semiconductors and, more generally, of spin-related phenomena.

Diluted magnetic semiconductors and oxides are interesting for fundamental science and applications even without room-temperature ferromagnetism.

Despite low transition temperatures, ferromagnetism in diluted magnetic semiconductors has been essential in exploring new ideas and concepts in spintronics, some of which have been successfully transferred to metallic ferromagnets.

The discovery of C₆₀ — a molecular allotrope of carbon — marked a pivotal moment in the field of nanotechnology. Twenty-five years on, carbon remains the element of choice for simple but functional materials.

Jim Heath tells Nature Materials about the discovery of C₆₀ and how the findings catalysed our way of thinking about size and shape on the nanoscale.

Twenty-five years on from the discovery of C₆₀, the outstanding properties and potential applications of the synthetic carbon allotropes — fullerenes, nanotubes and graphene — overwhelmingly illustrate their unique scientific and technological importance.

A green use of carbon-based resources that minimizes the environmental impact of carbon fuels could allow a smooth transition from fossil fuels to a sustainable energy economy.

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.

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.

Despite the good education of its scientists, science and technology in Mexico faces multiple challenges, says Juan Ramón de la Fuente, a former Minister of Health and former Rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

The work by Roberto Car and Michele Parrinello on ab initio molecular dynamics published 25 years ago has had a huge impact on fundamental science and applications in a wide range of fields.

Roberto Car tells Nature Materials how the Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics method originated and how his research career has evolved since then.