Articles in 2013

Kinesin motor proteins conjugated to DNA nanostructures can be used to assemble a network of microtubule tracks, and to control the loading, active concentration and unloading of cargo on this network, or trigger its disassembly.

The changing face of nanoscience education around the world.

The strength of the magnetic exchange interaction at the buried interface between a magnetic film and a substrate can be measured using spin-polarized electrons scattered from the top surface of the film.

Research and teaching in nanoscience can, and should, be thought as one joint endeavour. nanoHUB, a cyberinfrastructure that aims to use interactive cloud-based software to meet the needs of both code developers and end-users, is redefining research and education in nanoscience and engineering.

Single magnetic skyrmions — topological whirls in the magnetization of certain ferromagnets — can be created and manipulated in nanostructures using electrical currents.

In recent years, South Africa has, like other countries, increased investment in nanotechnology research, which in turn has had an effect on the curricula of its higher-education institutions. However, the focus of these changes, and the approach taken to achieve them, are unique to the circumstances of the country.

Mentoring undergraduates in a research laboratory requires a different set of skills and approaches than for other lab members. However, if a mentor — be it a faculty member, postdoc or graduate student — can adopt these methods, it can lead to a significantly improved lab experience for everyone involved.

Increasing the molecular weight of the core of a polymeric nanoparticle significantly improves its use in gene delivery.

In recent years, education in nanotechnology has evolved to reflect the new skill set required to perform multidisciplinary research. As the field further develops, it will need to evolve again.

Eight students from across the world discuss their own nanoscience education.

This Review discusses the state-of-the-art in optical trapping at the nanoscale, with an emphasis on some of the most promising advances such as controlled manipulation and assembly of individual and multiple nanostructures, force measurement with femtonewton resolution, and biosensors.